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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers.
Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.
Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.
The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for
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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
No matter what a credit card company or advertisement says, there isn’t a single “best” credit card for everyone. The best card for you depends on your spending habits, credit score, existing debt and more. But with so many options to choose from, picking the right card can be intimidating.
That’s why Bankrate’s experts rated and reviewed over 250 cards of the top card offers on the market to create our list of the best credit cards of 2024. We’ve evaluated each card based on its rewards value, rates and fees, welcome offers, customer experience, cardholder perks and more to give you a clear sense of where it shines and where it may fall short. In addition to Bankrate’s review scores, check out our deep dive into each card to see if it’s a good fit for your wallet (and pick up pro tips for maximizing its value).
So whether you’re looking for a rewards powerhouse, a money-saving 0-percent intro APR or a reliable way to build credit, one of these cards from our partners should be a great fit.
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We helped over 700,000 users compare cards in 2023
We rated and compared over 250 cards
Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions
Why choose Bankrate
We helped over 700,000 users compare cards in 2023
We rated and compared over 250 cards
Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions
The Bankrate Promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money and how we rate our cards .
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
In determining which cards were worthy of “Best Overall” distinction on marketplace pages, our editorial team reviewed the cards currently available on each page and narrowed the list of candidates to only those cards that either:
A) had received a minimum 4.0-star overall rating in their primary scoring category based on our proprietary card rating methodology, or
B) were currently the highest-rated card on the page.
We then surveyed an internal panel of expert credit card writers and editors as to which card from the candidate list was most deserving of a “Best Overall” distinction. The winner was selected based on popular vote.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Why you’ll like this card:It boasts terrific rewards value with its annual bonus points, practical bonus categories, high-value points and redemption flexibility.
5x
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x
1x on all other purchases.
What we love: Occasional travelers who value flexibility can enjoy this card’s excellent rewards on both travel and everyday spending, stellar travel protections and other lucrative benefits. It already delivers top-notch long-term value with its remarkable redemption options, Chase card pairing options and transfer partners. Plus, the hefty welcome offer makes the short-term rewards value exceptional as well.
Alternatives: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card could be more rewarding if you’d benefit from a larger pool of everyday reward categories and stronger benefits and rewards rates for hotel stays. However, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is worth considering if you just want straightforward, flat-rate rewards without sacrificing valuable transfer partners.
Pros
Its annual hotel statement credits and anniversary points bonus can carry enough value to easily justify the annual fee.
Thanks to the 25 percent redemption value boost via Chase Travel, Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most valuable rewards available through both transfer partners and the issuer portal.
Cons
It doesn’t have flight-focused travel perks like airport lounge access or free checked bags.
The card's grocery rewards rate only applies to eligible online grocery purchases, which could limit its appeal as a standalone option for everyday rewards.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$200
Rewards rate
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:Along with its hard-to-find entertainment category, it earns rewards in lucrative everyday spending categories.
8%
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
5%
5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
3%
3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
1%
1% Cash Back on all other purchases
What we love: This is one of the most well-rounded options with no annual fee for people who want a standalone rewards card. It earns a competitive, unlimited rewards rate in some of the most common spending categories, including restaurants, grocery stores and the often-overlooked entertainment category.
Alternatives:Consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It also carries a solid cash back rate on dining, plus a flat 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, which could be more lucrative than the SavorOne card’s bonus categories. It’s an especially good pick if you already have a Chase travel card to pool rewards with.
Pros
It offers some of the best spending category coverage and unlimited rewards potential available on one card.
The intro APR and reward bonus offers provide solid introductory value for a card in its class.
Cons
This card is missing a handful of rewards categories that may make rival cards more rewarding based on your budget, including gas, general travel and transit.
It doesn’t have as many perks or benefits as other rewards credit cards.
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; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Why you’ll like this card:Its top-tier flat rewards rate and redemption flexibility make it a well-rounded card suited to nearly any card stack.
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Why it’s the best overall: "This card has been a vital part of my credit card journey. It not only offers generous cash rewards on purchases, but also fits seamlessly with my financial goals thanks to its user-friendly features and transparent terms. It’s an indispensable tool in my credit card arsenal.” — Re’Dreyona Walker, Editor, Credit Cards
What we love: This card’s flat rewards rate is a great fit whether you’re looking for a simple, standalone rewards card or you want to fine tune your multi-card strategy to earn more rewards on general spending. It’s also one of the most well-rounded 2 percent cash rewards cards since it carries a welcome offer and an intro APR offer.
Alternatives: While technically not a flat-rate cash back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5 percent back on general purchases and has various other unlimited bonus categories. Depending on your spending habits, you could out-earn the Wells Fargo Active Cash with the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Pros
Paying your cellphone bill each month with this card gets you cellphone protection against damage or theft (limit of two up to $600 claims per year, subject to a $25 deductible) — a handy but relatively uncommon perk that will be useful to many cardholders.
The Active Cash is one of the only 2 percent cash rewards cards that doesn’t weigh down your rewards with spending caps or minimum redemption requirements.
Cons
Your reward redemption options are limited to cash rewards; you can’t transfer rewards to travel partners.
It charges a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee, which will be disappointing to people who enjoy traveling abroad.
Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
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. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; 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.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Earn $200
Rewards rate
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
1% - 3%
Annual fee
$0
APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Why you’ll like this card:Its everyday bonus categories, online shopping rewards and exceptional credits make it a terrific standalone option.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
What we love: Its high cash back rate on several crucial everyday categories can make this one of the most lucrative cards for any household’s day-to-day spending. And its U.S. online retailer category is especially rewarding for online shoppers since few cards have an online shopping category.
It’s one of the only no-annual-fee cards with benefits as valuable as its monthly credits for eligible home meal kits and Disney Bundle streaming subscriptions.
Its intro APR is competitive and includes both purchases and balance transfers, which gives new cardholders breathing room with interest charges.
Cons
Wholesale clubs and stores like Target and Walmart don’t count in the U.S. supermarkets category.
You’ll only earn 3 percent cash back on up to $6,000 of annual spending in each select category before the rate drops to 1 percent, which could be a low ceiling for some spenders.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.
N/A
Rewards rate
Rewards rate is not available for this credit card.
N/A
Why you’ll like this card:It will give you as much low-interest breathing room as possible while you pay off debt or finance purchases.
N/A
What we love: Its chart-topping intro APR offer extends to both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, offering maximum flexibility if you want to minimize interest charges. Plus, this card’s benefits sprinkle on a little more value with perks like some of the best cellphone protection available (subject to a deductible).
Alternatives: The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* carries a relatively low ongoing APR, so it may be a good fit if you’ll carry a balance after your intro APR ends. Its U.S. Bank ExtendPay® feature may also help you save on interest when you divide eligible purchases into equal installment payments with a monthly fee. Meanwhile, the Discover it® Chrome or Citi Double Cash® Card could offer great long-term value after you pay off your balance thanks to their rewards.
Pros
Unlike most competitors, this card offers the same length of intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
The card comes with cell phone protection against damage or theft (up to $600, subject to a $25 deductible, when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card).
Cons
The card's balance transfer fee is relatively high. A lower-fee card could save you more overall, even if it carries a shorter intro APR period.
There’s no rewards program, so the card has limited long-term value.
Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 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.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. 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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Rewards rate is not available for this credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$0
What we love: This card’s introductory balance transfer APR offer is one of the longest available if you have excellent credit and want as much time as possible to pay off your debt. Plus, you can save money even after the intro APR ends thanks to benefits like Citi Flex Loans, Citi Easy Deals and Citi Entertainment ticket discounts.
Alternatives: If you’re looking for a card that will offer great value even after your intro APR ends, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a better option. It earns an excellent cash back rate while giving you the sort of long intro APR period you typically only find on dedicated balance transfer cards.
Pros
The promotional APR period for balance transfers is one of the longest currently on the market.
You get access to popular Citi programs, including Citi Flex Loan, Citi Entertainment and Citi Easy Deals.
Cons
Without a rewards program or perks with monetary value, there’s hardly any long-term value.
Its intro APR offer for purchases is much shorter than several competing cards’ offers.
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don't come with a yearly charge.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
20,000 miles
Rewards rate
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Why you’ll like this card:It’ll rack up miles even if you don’t spend much on travel, and you can transfer miles to partner airlines for a chance at a higher redemption value.
5 Miles
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25 Miles
1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What we love: It’s a great starter card for occasional travelers, as it has no annual fee, a flat rewards rate on general purchases and an even higher rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Budding reward strategists may also enjoy redeeming miles through transfer partners — a valuable option no-annual-fee travel cards typically don’t provide.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
Rewards rate
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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. 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
1.5% - 5%
Why you’ll like this card:It’s one of the only cards that offers both a flat 1.5X points on all purchases and bonus rewards in popular categories like dining and travel.
5%
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
1.5%
1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
What we love: If you’re looking for a straightforward card that’s flexible enough to stand as your solo rewards card, this is one of the best options out there thanks to its generous base and bonus rewards rates, handy perks and impressive redemption flexibility. Plus, it has stellar pairing potential with other Chase cards.
Alternatives: If you want a flat rewards rate but don’t dine out much, then the Citi Double Cash® Card or another 2 percent cash back card might be a better choice. If you spend heavily at both restaurants and grocery stores, then the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is also worth a look.
Pros
Its unique welcome offer and solid intro APR offers give this card great upfront value in addition to its ongoing rewards.
It could offer much better long-term value than the typical no-annual fee rewards card, especially for frequent travelers: Points are worth 25 to 50 percent more when you pair the Freedom Unlimited with a premium Chase travel or business card.
Cons
A few other cards offer a higher flat cash back rate (2 percent or more back on all purchases), so they could prove more lucrative if you don’t spend much on travel or dining.
Instead of offering a lump sum of rewards when you meet a spending threshold, this card’s welcome bonus gives you extra cash back on top of your regular rate. While that could prove very lucrative in the end, maximizing it could require a ton of spending.
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 Travel℠, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
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, alerts, and more.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$200
Rewards rate
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. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:You can keep things simple with its flat rewards rate and straightforward redemption.
5%
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
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
What we love: Although its flat 1.5 percent cash back rate doesn’t set it apart from the crowd, the Quicksilver offers streamlined features and a nice mix of redemption options (including the option to automatically redeem rewards), making it a fantastic first rewards card if you’re learning the ropes and value simplicity.
Alternatives: Unless you’re set on a card with automatic cash back redemption, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® outperforms the Quicksilver, mainly for its additional 3 percent cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants. However, a 2 percent flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or Citi Double Cash® Card will be more rewarding if you mostly spend outside those categories.
Pros
Its cost-effective terms make it excellent for both everyday and international spending.
Features an automatic cash back redemption option, making it one of the simplest rewards card experiences available.
Cons
The Quicksilver card’s benefits are barebones compared to a few of its rival cards.
There are other cards on the market that offer a higher unlimited cash back rate.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
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
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; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases.
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Why you’ll like this card:It boasts a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, making it easy to earn rewards, even if your travel spending is mostly on your commute.
3X
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.
1X
Earn 1X points on other purchases
What we love: This card not only has one of the best ongoing rewards rates on everyday travel purchases but it also covers various other popular categories like restaurants, airfare and hotels. It’s tough to earn bonus points in that many categories with a single card, making this a great standalone rewards card for commuters and families on the go.
Alternatives: While the Autograph card covers many popular spending categories, it’s missing a few everyday categories. If you spend more on staples like groceries, gas and online shopping than extras like dining out and air travel, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid alternative. Frequent flyers and hotel guests may also prefer the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card or another premium travel card.
Pros
It’s one of the only no-annual-fee travel cards that allows you to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners, which could increase your point redemption value.
You can redeem rewards for statement credits or travel without sacrificing point value.
Cons
The additional benefits and intro APR offer on purchases are weaker than competing cards’ features, especially compared to travel cards.
It falls short of many travel cards since it only offers six transfer partners and features no domestic airline partners.
Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
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. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. 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.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
2 Miles - 10 Miles
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:It offers valuable perks at a much lower cost than other premium cards, including annual travel credits, airport lounge access and more.
10 Miles
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles
5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What we love: Frequent travelers wanting to strike the balance with top-notch rewards, elite travel benefits and affordability will find this card is a unique middle-ground option. Instead of stuffing its perk roster to the gills with niche features, the Venture X includes practical benefitslike airport lounge access and yearly travel credits and bonus miles.
Alternatives: Occasional travelers who aren’t concerned with premium travel perks may get more value with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve® could also be a better fit since Chase points carry a high travel redemption value than Capital One miles, and these two Chase cards carry stronger travel perks than the Venture card.
Pros
It offers practical, high-value perks that can help you easily offset the annual fee.
You can redeem miles for travel-related purchases on your statement from the past 90 days, which can make the rewards more flexible than several other issuers’.
Cons
Capital One doesn’t have as many useful, U.S.-based travel partners as other issuers have.
You must book through Capital One Travel to earn rewards in key travel categories.
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 a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip 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
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 every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:You can redeem miles via Capital One Travel, transfer to airline and hotel partners or cover travel purchases made in the last 90 days.
5 Miles
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What we love: This card offers frequent travelers easy-to-earn, flat-rate rewards and some of the most flexible travel redemption options. It provides the unique ability to redeem miles toward travel-related purchases on your statement from the past 90 days. What makes Capital One’s flexible miles even more eye-catching are the 15+ travel hotel and airline partners, some of which could get you a higher redemption value for your points
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
Why you’ll like this card:Its rewards rates, business-focused bonus categories and sign-up bonus are some of the best on the market for no annual fee.
5%
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
2%
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
What we love: Small-business owners who spend heavily on office supplies and internet, cable and phone services could enjoy some of the best rewards potential of any no-annual-fee business card — especially those who plan to pair the Ink Business Cash with a higher-tier Ultimate Rewards card.
The card’s sign-up bonus offer is one of the best available on a no-annual-fee business card, so it’s a good option if you have a large business expense on the horizon.
Its intro APR period is on the longer side for a business rewards card, so it could be a great fit if you want to finance business purchases.
Cons
You can’t transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs or get more than 1 cent per point in redemption value unless you pool points with one of the Chase Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred card.
Depending on how much you spend in this card’s bonus categories, you may earn more with a flat-rate rewards card — even if that means paying an annual fee.
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions.
2% - 5%
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
Why you’ll like this card:It carries perhaps the highest unlimited flat cash back rate you can get on a business card, so the annual fee can be easy to offset for some spenders.
5%
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
What we love: Its unlimited 2 percent cash back rate on everyday purchases and boosted rate on Capital One Travel purchases make it one of the best business cards with a flat rewards rate. Big spenders can get exceptional value with this card since Capital One could refund the $150 annual fee as a statement credit every year you spend at least $150,000 with the card.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
1X - 2X
Annual fee
$69
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Why you’ll like this card:It comes with airline perks similar to those of higher-tier airline cards for a lower annual fee.
2X
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
2X
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2X
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2X
Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1X
Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
What we love: Occasional travelers who mostly fly domestically and don’t need luxury perks should consider this entry-level airline card since it carries key air travel benefits, rewards and intro bonus rewards similar to those of higher-tier Southwest credit cards but for a low annual fee.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
1 mile - 3 miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you’ll like this card:Its companion certificate is one of the easiest to earn, making it one of the most valuable cards for travel duos.
3 miles
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
2 miles
Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases.
1 mile
Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
What we love: This card shines thanks to its companion fare perk, which lets you book an Alaska Airlines ticket for a travel companion at a steep discount after you spend $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year. Other airline companion passes usually have much steeper spending requirements.
Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card may be a better fit for frequent travel duos. Southwest cards give you a chance at the coveted (but harder-to-earn) Southwest Companion Pass, which you can use the year you earn it and throughout the following year.
Pros
The welcome bonus is easily one of the most valuable available on a mid-tier airline card since it comes with both a companion pass and a windfall of miles.
It earns miles in some everyday categories like gas, streaming services and cable. These categories are similar to several other airline cards’, but they’re not the most lucrative everyday categories.
Cons
Although Alaska Airlines has several travel partners, this card is mainly for West Coast flyers since the airline’s routes are quite limited.
The annual fee may be tough to cover for some occasional travelers.
Limited Time Online Offer—60,000 Bonus Miles!
Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
3X - 7X
Annual fee
$0
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Why you’ll like this card:You’ll unlock complimentary elite status and other hotel perks typically only offered by premium cards with higher fees.
7X
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
5X
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
3X
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
What we love: This card is easy to justify for Hilton loyalists who want some status perks and hotel card benefits, but don’t need an ultra-luxury experience to enjoy their stay. It doesn’t have an annual fee but it’s packed with features that would normally warrant a fee, including boosted rewards in popular everyday spending categories and automatic Hilton Honors™ Silver Elite status to fast-track you to higher-tier benefits.
Alternatives: If you’re a frequent Hilton guest, then you can certainly squeeze more than enough value out of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and its stronger rewards, automatic Hilton Honors™ Gold status and travel perks to justify its annual fee.
Pros
It doesn’t have an annual fee, so it’s a good option if you only travel occasionally or are searching for your first hotel card.
Guests who stay for four consecutive nights and pay with points can get a valuable fifth night free on award stays (must book five consecutive nights).
Cons
It lacks many of the perks you can find on higher-tier hotel rewards cards, like free breakfast and room upgrades.
Other Hilton cards earn more on Hilton hotel bookings, which could make them more lucrative — even with annual fees.
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
5X - 5X
Annual fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you’ll like this card:It boasts the most comprehensive airport lounge access you can get, plus dozens of other perks and credits totaling nearly $2,000 in value.
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
What we love: If you’re a frequent traveler looking for top-tier perks, this card may be worth the price of admission. It boasts an unrivaled benefit roster, including perhaps the most extensive lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, airline incidentals, Uber, digital entertainment and much more.
Alternatives: If you think the Amex Platinum’s list of perks is impractical, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card instead. Another premium travel card, the Venture X is more cost-effective while still offering a terrific flat rewards rate and valuable perks like annual travel credits and bonus miles.
Pros
There’s around $1,700 of yearly value in ongoing credits, which is perhaps unrivaled in the rewards card market.
Earns one of the highest travel rewards rates of any American Express card.
Cons
Not all of the card’s niche perks and credits are practical for the average person, so the card may end up costing more than it’s worth.
It earns just 1X points on all non-travel spending, so it won’t make much sense if you want a standalone rewards card to cover everyday spending.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
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.
3X - 4X
Annual fee
$250
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you’ll like this card:Its dining perks and top-tier rewards rate at both supermarkets and restaurants make it a uniquely valuable travel card for foodies.
4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
What we love: This card is a good fit for traveling restaurant-goers and home chefs thanks to its high rewards rate at both restaurants and supermarkets, two practical everyday categories that should make it easy to rack up rewards. Along with rewards, this card’s exclusive annual dining credits and Uber Cash can nearly make up for the annual fee without eating into your rewards.
Alternatives: If the American Express Gold’s high annual fee is turning you away, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a terrific alternative if you still want to earn on dining and grocery purchases. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® could be a more cost-effective option if you prioritize travel rewards and perks.
Pros
Carries a handful of travel benefits, including lost luggage reimbursement and hotel privileges with eligible stays.
Delivers extra purchasing power since there is no preset spending limit, and you can carry a balance with the Pay Over Time feature if needed.
Cons
You need to use the right transfer partner to get the most value out of this card’s points.
It’s missing several premium travel perks other cards have, such as airport lounge access and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 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.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:It offers a clear path to a higher credit limit and several lucrative rewards cards you could upgrade to down the line.
What we love: This brass-tacks card is tailored to people with fair credit who want to focus on building credit without distractions. Unsecured cards for people with less-than-perfect credit often charge a ton of fees, but this card gives responsible cardholders the chance to increase their credit limit and possibly upgrade to a more rewarding Capital One card in the future if their score improves.
You’ll be considered for a higher credit limit after just six months of responsible use — one of the shortest credit limit review periods available with a credit-building card.
Capital One may consider applicants with FICO scores as low as 580 for this card.
Cons
The variable APR is assigned to all cardholders, regardless of credit score. That’s a bit high, even for a card for someone with fair credit.
It comes with no rewards program or notable perks, which limits this card’s long-term value compared to other credit-building cards.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
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
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Why you’ll like this card:It’ll kick start your credit journey with a high-value welcome offer, a solid rewards program and forgiving rates and fees.
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
What we love: Thanks to its first-year Cashback Match and generous rotating cash back program, this is one of the most lucrative rewards credit cards available to students. First-time cardholders will have a hard time beating the value of a major rewards card combined with the peace of mind students can get from Discover’s top-tier customer service and generously low rates and fees.
It carries no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or penalty APR and even waives your first late payment fee (the late fee is up to $41 after that).
This card’s intro APR offer is a rare but potentially helpful perk for newly independent cardholders.
Cons
The rotating bonus rewards program might be too high-maintenance for credit card newbies.
Its additional features are barebones outside the rewards and low fees, even for a student card.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
No credit score required to apply.
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.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro offer is not available for this Chime credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
None
Regular APR
N/A
Why you’ll like this card:You can avoid traditional secured card costs like a security deposit, interest charges and late payment fees.
What we love: People who build their credit with as few card costs as possible may enjoy this card, especially since there’s no minimum security deposit. There’s no APR, late payment fees, over-limit penalties or annual fee to worry about. It also offers one of the highest potential credit limits for secured cards in exchange for managing balances between Chime and your bank account.
Alternatives: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card may offer a solid — and lower-maintenance — starting credit limit with only a small deposit. The card also gives you a chance at a higher credit limit in as little as six months and reports credit utilization to credit bureaus (unlike the Chime card), which could expedite your credit-building.
Pros
This secured card offers one of the highest possible credit limits, with a $10,000 maximum secured account balance.
Chime does not require a credit check, so applicants can avoid hard and soft pulls on their credit.
Cons
There isn’t much long-term value since you can’t earn rewards or eventually upgrade to an unsecured card.
Requires opening a Chime Checking Account with at least a $200 direct deposit in order to apply for the card, which equates to a typical security deposit.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime® Checking Account
The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT).
The Chime Credit Builder Card is a secured credit card that can help consumers build credit history. It has no interest*, no annual fees, no credit check to apply, and no minimum security deposit required**
Help build your credit history with your own money. The money you move into the Credit Builder secured account is the amount you can spend on your card (no minimum deposit required**). Turn on Safer Credit Building** and have your monthly balance automatically paid on time. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®. Experian®. and Equifax®.
Use your secured Credit Builder card everywhere VISA is accepted, including on everyday purchases, such as gas and groceries.
*No Interest: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
**No Minimum Security Deposit: Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
**Safer Credit Building - On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Why you’ll like this card:Its minimum security deposit is exceptionally low, and it gives you a chance to increase your credit limit after six months.
What we love: Not many secured cards come with security deposit requirements as low as $49, making this a great option for starting to build credit. Plus, Capital One will review your account for a potential credit limit increase after six months — one of the shortest credit line review periods available on a card available at this credit level.
Alternatives: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card may be a better option for some credit-builders looking for perks since it earns rewards on purchases and comes with an introductory APR on balance transfers.
Pros
The potential $49 minimum security deposit is one of the lowest available on a secured card and is especially valuable considering it still gets you a starting credit limit of $200.
Capital One reports your card usage to all three credit bureaus to help you build credit.
Cons
Its ongoing value is greatly limited compared to secured cards that earn rewards, and its APR is higher than several other cards’ rates.
If you take advantage of the possible $49 minimum security deposit, the $200 starting credit limit can make it hard to manage your credit utilization ratio, which could easily hurt your credit-building efforts.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases of up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each category (then 1%)
Yearly credits: Up to $84 toward Disney Bundle streaming ($7 monthly credits after a $9.99+ subscription payment with enrolled card) and up to $180 toward Home Chef meal kits (up to $15 per month for auto-renewing subscription with enrolled card)
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (within the first 120 days) and purchases (18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; 5% balance transfer fee, $5 minimum)
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (within the first four months) and for 12 months on purchases (18.24% to 28.99% variable APR thereafter; 5% balance transfer fee, $5 minimum)
Citi Easy Deals, Citi Flex Loans and Citi Entertainment may help save money on eligible purchases, event tickets and alternative payment plans
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
2X points on Southwest purchases; Southwest hotel and car rental partners; local transit and commuting (including ride-shares); internet, cable, phone and select streaming services
Southwest perks, including 3,000 annual bonus points on the account anniversary, two annual EarlyBird Check-In® boardings, first two checked bags free, 25% discount on in-flight purchases and more
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
5X points on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent on flights per calendar year)
2X points on prepaid car rentals, vacation packages and cruise reservations through American Express Travel
Offers one of the most valuable lists of travel perks available, including around $1,700 of recurring monthly and annual credits plus comprehensive airport lounge access
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
4X points on restaurant, eligible delivery in the U.S. (including Uber Eats) and U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points)
3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel
Up to $240 in annual dining and Uber Eats delivery credits (up to $10 of both dining credits and Uber Cash, provided as monthly credits toward eligible purchases; Uber Cash expires at the end of the month)
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Expert insights: What is the best credit card of 2024?
While no one card will be “the best” for everyone, there may be a clear “best credit card” for you based on your goals, spending habits, credit score and more. Perhaps the closest answer to the objective “best credit cards” and issuers are listed below, based on extensive research data from experts at Bankrate and J.D. Power.
If you’re looking for a lay of the land, the 2024 Bankrate Award winners are a great place to start. Every year, Bankrate’s credit card experts research, rate and compare hundreds of cards and crown the best in each major category as Bankrate Award winners based on their outstanding features, rewards value and more.
Several of the cards on this page were winners this year, including:
American Express Gold Card — Best credit card for foodies (three-time winner*)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Best credit card for jet-setters (three-time winner*)
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — Best credit card for entertainment (2024), Best credit card for families (two-time winner*)
Discover it® Student Cash Back — Best credit card for students (two-time winner*)
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card — Best credit card for flat-rate cash back
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express — Best credit card for everyday use (2024), Best credit card for shopaholics (2023)
Check out more 2024 Bankrate Award winners if you’re ready to snag one of the best credit cards on the market.
Bankrate’s review scores can also highlight especially great cards. Review scores are calculated on a scale of 1 to 5 and based mainly on a card’s rewards value, perks, introductory offers, APR and other fees. Although several fantastic cards hold a score of 4 and above, scoring a perfect 5/5 is quite an accomplishment.
Here are the exceptional cards that currently hold a 5/5 Bankrate review score:
The annual J.D. Power credit card satisfaction study details the major credit card industry trends each year, and the 2023 study added individual card rankings to the survey. For an extra vote of confidence, here are the top three credit cards according to consumers in the 2023 survey’s five categories (scored on a 1,000-point scale):
Rewards cards (Premium)
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card (712)
J.D. Power’s annual credit card satisfaction survey is perhaps the definitive gauge of the best credit card issuer. The 2023 survey ranked 16 credit card issuers — major and regional — on a 1,000-point scale based on their customers’ satisfaction with their experience. American Express ranked first in the 2023 survey with Bank of America in second place, which is a departure from Amex and Discover’s typical neck-and-neck battle for the top two spots. It’s also worth noting the average score was 609, which means only American Express, Bank of America, Discover and Capital One achieved an above-average customer satisfaction rating.
Here are how the 16 issuers rank based on J.D. Power’s 2023 survey results, as well as how many Bankrate Awards the issuer’s cards have won since 2022 and an estimated point or mile value for their top rewards cards:
N/A (currently only issuing cards with no rewards)
0
Truist
#14 (557)
1 cent (may vary for non-cash back redemptions with point-earning cards)
0
Premier Bankcard
#15 (529)
N/A (currently only issuing cards with no rewards)
0
Credit One Bank
#16 (496)
1 cent
0
It’s also worth noting that the study’s seven midsize issuers — mostly regional banks and credit unions — offer cards that have earned Bankrate Awards or carry rewards that Bankrate includes in its point valuation database. Of these midsize issuers, TD Bank won “Best Bank for Sign-Up Bonuses” and PNC won “Most Trusted Bank” in the 2023 Bankrate Awards for banking. Several of the Navy Federal Credit Union cards are featured in Bankrate’s list of the best credit union cards as well.
How do credit cards work?
A credit card is a financial product similar to a personal line of credit that lets you make purchases now, but pay for them later. When you’re approved for a credit card, you get a credit limit that determines the maximum dollar amount you can charge to your card. As you make purchases, your available credit decreases. When you pay your bill, your available credit increases.
With a credit card, you can carry a balance from month to month, meaning you can make a partial or minimum payment rather than paying your balance in full. The downside to carrying a balance is facing potential interest charges determined by your credit card’s APR, or annual percentage rate. Your credit card’s APR is effectively the cost of borrowing money. Remember, credit card interest is relevant only if you carry credit card debt from month to month, and it’s best to pay your balance on time and in full whenever possible.
Cash back is the simplest form of rewards. You earn back a percentage of your purchase cost, so if your card earns 3 percent back in a certain category, spending $100 in that category would net you $3 in cash back.
Credit card points and miles work similarly, but the value of points and miles varies based on how they’re redeemed. Miles are generally best used to book travel (typically airfare) while points may offer more flexibility, allowing you to redeem for different types of travel as well as cash back.
Your understanding of certain credit card terms is essential when choosing a credit card. The terms and phrases listed below should be top of mind when you begin shopping:
Interest rate: Interest is the daily-compounding fee a card issuer charges for carrying a credit card balance from month to month, one of the main ways that credit card companies make money. Rates are influenced by your credit score and the prime rate set by the Federal Reserve.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): In the world of credit cards, your interest rate and your APR are interchangeable. Your credit card’s annual percentage rate is the interest you’re charged for carrying a balance on the credit card in a billing cycle. The potential APR range is listed in your card’s terms (17.99 percent to 29.99 percent, for example).
Credit limit: This is your credit card’s spending limit and will vary based on your credit score. You’ll likely have different credit limits for different transactions. For example, your cash advance limit (if your credit card offers cash advances) will be lower than your credit limit for purchases. If you go over your credit limit, the drawbacks can be severe, so it's important to know your limit and keep your balance beneath it, if you plan to carry a balance.
Credit card balance: Your credit card’s statement balance is the amount owed at the end of a billing cycle. This amount will include all unpaid transactions made on your credit card and any unpaid fees.
Credit card issuer: Often confused with credit card networks — like Visa or Mastercard that facilitate transactions between merchants and card issuers — credit card issuers provide credit cards directly to consumers. Cardholders can receive credit cards from financial institutions like credit unions or banks.
Co-branded: Co-branded cards typically earn rewards and offer perks with a particular merchant or brand they’re partnered with, such as an airline, hotel or retail store. However, these cards are also part of a major credit card network, so they can be used wherever that network is accepted.
Private-label: “Private-label” (or “closed loop”) cards aren’t branded with a credit card network at all, so they can only be used with the partnered merchant. Many of these products are store credit cards and gas station credit cards. Private label cards usually aren’t recommended since they carry weak features and high APRs and fees.
Pros and cons of credit cards
Credit cards can be a great way to manage your money and make sure you pay your bills on time — but the problem is that they’re also very easy to misuse. Because of this, you should be aware of some of the benefits and drawbacks of owning a credit card.
Pros
Earn rewards and enjoy perks. Rewards card programs and perks like bonus statement credits can help you save money on travel, dining and other big expenses.
Build your credit score. Using a credit card responsibly is one of the best ways to establish and improve your credit score as long as you consistently pay on time and keep your balance low.
Financial flexibility and extra protection. A credit card even offers peace of mind when you pay for goods and services. It comes with strong consumer protections to ensure safe transactions and guard against identity theft.
Consolidate debt and pause interest. A card with a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers can give you time to pay off new purchases and consolidated debt from other cards or loans.
Help others establish credit. If you have children or other loved ones who need help building (or rebuilding) their credit score, you can add them as authorized users on your card so they can build credit without the hassle of opening their own (and earn you extra rewards).
Cons
You could face high interest rates. Credit card interest rates are higher than other types of loans or credit accounts, so paying off credit card debt could become costlier than installment loan interest.
You could get into debt. Spending more on your credit card than you can pay off before the end of each billing cycle could pile expensive interest charges onto your balance and compound into snowballing debt.
Your credit score can drop with irresponsible use. Improper card use could damage your credit profile and lead to higher loan interest rates and insurance premiums or trouble getting a job or finding housing.
You may take on fees. Even the best credit cards can come with a variety of fees, though you can avoid many of these with responsible card use. Some will have fees for foreign transactions or annual fees for perks that you don't need or use.
What type of credit card should you get?
Credit card issuers offer different types of credit cards to meet a variety of consumer needs. For example, some cardholders don’t see the appeal of a premium travel card or won’t use the card enough to justify its annual fee, while others may primarily use their card while traveling abroad. The former type of cardholder would likely benefit from a no-annual-fee card, while the latter would benefit from a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with plenty of travel features.
But there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all credit card, and the sheer number of options can make it difficult to choose a credit card that’s best for your unique situation. That’s why it’s good to consider which card best matches your spending habits.
Here are the major credit card types and the ideal cardholder they’re suited for:
What to know:
Cash back cards usually earn rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, dining, gas and more.
You can typically redeem cash back as a statement credit, deposit to your bank account or gift card. Some cash back rewards also let you pool rewards with travel cards from the same issuer.
Household shoppers — The most popular cash back bonus categories are a good fit if you spend mostly on groceries, gas, dining and other everyday categories.
Simplicity seekers — If you prefer streamlined redemption and minimal fees, cash back cards are a good option.
Staycation-ers and infrequent travelers — If you don’t plan to redeem rewards for travel, cash back is likely your best alternative.
Along with earning valuable travel rewards, these cards also tend to feature benefits that make your journey easier and more affordable. Popular perks include airport lounge access, free hotel upgrades, travel protections (like trip cancellation insurance) and credits toward expenses like airfare, hotel stays and expedited security screening services.
General travel cards earn rewards on airfare, hotels and other expenses, no matter how you fly or where you stay. These cards may also include perks like airport lounge access or credits for expedited security screening services.
Co-branded cards typically carry high reward rates and elite loyalty status with particular airlines or hotel chains. Airline cards typically provide perks like in-flight purchase discounts, priority boarding and free checked baggage. Similarly, hotel cards may offer free nights, hotel credits and status that gives you perks like room upgrades and flexible check-in.
Who they’re great for:
Flexibility-focused travelers — If you want to book with the airline or hotel that offers the best deal and care more about earning and redeeming rewards than traveling in style, you’ll likely prefer a general-purpose travel card.
Road warriors — Road trippers and weekend adventurers could save on accommodations and future trips with travel cards’ lodging, dining, entertainment and rental car rewards.
Strategic shoppers — Travel cards’ broad category coverage, pairing opportunities and transfer partners will help you squeeze the most mileage from your rewards.
Loyal jet-setters and hotel guests — An airline or hotel card would be a rewarding pick if you prefer to fly with a specific carrier or stay with a particular hotel chain.
Travel hackers — A co-branded airline or hotel card may be worthwhile if you don’t mind holding multiple cards to maximize your travel rewards.
A balance transfer credit card lets you move debt from an existing credit account to the new card and, ideally, pay off the transferred debt with a 0 percent intro APR lasting 18 to 21 months. Meanwhile, cards with 0 percent intro APR periods on purchases are useful if you want to pay off new purchases over time.
Cards typically charge a 3 percent to 5 percent balance transfer fee. Make sure to check your math beforehand since a card with a lower transfer fee may be more cost-effective than one with a longer intro APR if you have a large balance.
Who they’re great for:
Debt-settlers — A balance transfer card may give you enough breathing room to finally pay off snowballing debt.
Balance managers — You can consolidate multiple credit card balances (and sometimes personal loans) onto one zero-interest card if you’re having a hard time keeping up with interest charges across multiple cards.
Big purchase planners — You can use a card with a strong 0 percent intro APR on purchases to keep interest at bay as you pay off big purchases.
You’ll want to consider a low-interest credit card that has an ongoing APR below the average interest rate (currently hovering around a high 20 percent) if you may need to carry a balance.
Who they’re great for:
Emergency expense planners — Minimize the impact of interest should you need to carry a balance.
First-time cardholders — Provides a lower-cost safety net in case you miss a payment while getting the hang of credit cards.
With a cash back card for business, you can earn a flat percentage on general purchases or a higher rate on specialty categories such as office supplies. A business travel card that earns miles or points can also help you reduce your costs for airfare, hotel stays and transit.
Business cards typically carry specialized features, such as higher credit limits than consumer cards, tools to help you manage expenses, free cards for employees and business-related rewards categories, such as shipping, advertising or office supply store purchases
Who they’re great for:
Small-business owners — On top of business-oriented features not found on personal cards, business cards can also help you handle your small business or startup costs and build your business’ credit score.
Side hustlers — Even if you have a small online store, dog walking or ridesharing side gig, you can use a business card to earn rewards, access expense management tools and keep your business spending separate from your personal spending.
Business travelers — Many of the top-tier business cards offer travel perks and rewards, and frequent business travelers can put features like annual travel credits, airline companion passes and lounge access privileges to good use.
You might not need a good or excellent credit score (or even a credit history at all) to qualify for a student card. In fact, some cards for international students don’t even require a Social Security number.
Some student card perks are especially useful if you’re in college, like statement credits for Amazon Prime Student, streaming services or other common subscriptions.
Annual fees, foreign transaction fees and penalty APRs are less common among student cards, and some issuers even waive your first late payment fee. These minimal fees can provide some peace of mind for students without the same income or credit experience as a seasoned cardholder.
Who they’re great for:
Students — Unlike secured cards and other credit-building options for people with limited credit, student credit cards are only available to students. Student cards’ comparatively low rates and fees, $0 deposit requirement, student-oriented perks and rewards make them perhaps the best cards available if you want to build a credit history.
Secured cards are the most accessible — and feature-rich — credit card option if you have no credit history or a “bad” to “fair” credit score (typically a FICO score of 669 or lower, or a VantageScore of 660 or lower).
In exchange for a refundable security deposit (typically starting at $200), issuers provide you a matching credit limit that allows you to work on building credit. Setting your own credit limit with a large deposit can make it much easier to keep your credit utilization ratio — a key credit scoring factor — in check.
Non-students may find that secured cards generally offer stronger perks than unsecured credit-building cards. In fact, several issuers provide secured cards with rewards rates identical to their full-fledged counterparts, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card* or Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
Who they’re great for:
Credit-builders with bad credit or no credit history — If you have money for a security deposit, a secured card could be the most cost-effective, rewarding and expedient card option to build or repair your credit.
Unsecured credit cards for bad or fair credit can be handy if you don’t have the flexibility to tie up a large security deposit for several months. However it’s important to carefully read each card’s terms and conditions.
Unsecured credit-building cards tend to charge much higher rates and fees than secured cards, and some of these unsecured cards’ terms border on being predatory. Decent unsecured cards designed for subprime credit do exist, but a secured card may be a more cost-effective option in the long run for building credit.
Who they’re great for:
Credit-builders avoiding a security deposit — Unsecured cards can be helpful if you’re hesitant to fork up a hefty deposit and you can carefully navigate the risks.
Credit-builders with fair credit — Since you’ll be seen as a lower risk than someone with bad credit, having fair credit can get you unsecured credit-building cards that are a bit more rewarding than secured alternatives.
Choosing the best credit card all comes down to which card is going to provide you with the most value based on your financial situation, spending habits and more. Think about these questions when a credit card offer catches your eye:
What’s your credit score?
The better your credit score, the better your chance of qualifying for a credit card with excellent perks and terms. Check your credit score before applying for a new card, and, if your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, work on improving your credit.
Are you looking to pay off debt or upcoming purchases?
If you only need 12 to 15 months to pay off your balance, a no-annual-fee rewards card with a short intro APR period may be your best choice long term. Otherwise, cards designed specifically for balance transfers or financing new purchases will be a better fit since they tend to offer 0 percent APR periods of 18 to 21 months.
It’s best to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid paying interest, but a card with a low interest rate or alternate payment plan may be wise if you think you may need extra time to pay off unexpected purchases after intro zero-interest APRs typically end. Low-interest cards tout APRs that are lower than the average credit card interest rate, which has been hovering around a high 20 percent.
What are your spending habits?
Start your research by deciding what type of rewards you’d like to earn: cash back, points or miles. If your spending is concentrated in certain categories — like groceries, dining or travel — look for a card that carries a high rewards rate on those purchases. If you don’t spend a lot in one particular category, consider a card that earns rewards at a flat rate on all purchases.
Flat-rate rewards cards typically offer a maximum of 2 percent cash back or 2X miles on purchases, while cards with rotating or year-round bonus categories can offer anywhere from 2 percent to 6 percent back on certain purchases (sometimes with a few restrictions on how much you can earn).
Can you earn a sign-up bonus?
Many credit cards carry a sign-up bonus for new cardholders. No-annual-fee rewards cards typically offer sign-up bonuses worth $200 to $250 after you spend $500 to $1,000 in the first three months. Meanwhile, premium rewards cards generally offer bonuses worth $500 to $800 after you spend $4,000 to $6,000 in your first three or six months. Business cards often offer even more valuable sign-up bonuses with a bigger spending requirement to match.
Don’t know where to start? Check out
Bankrate’s Spender Type Tool
Here’s how Bankrate experts chose their rewards card
With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate writer and credit card reviewer Garrett Yarbrough on how he chose his primary rewards card:
Although I knew which cards carried the highest rewards rates, most impressive sign-up bonuses and most valuable perks, I started my search by considering what I wanted most out of my card. I knew I wanted a versatile card that could reward my biggest expenses and remain a valuable staple in my rewards strategy even after I added more cards to my wallet.
APRs weren’t a huge concern since I already had a low-interest card from my credit union and I avoid carrying a balance. So I focused on rewards. While a cash back card would be a good fit, I didn’t want to close the door to more valuable travel rewards and transfer partners in the future.
My biggest expenses tend to be bills and everyday purchases like groceries, gas and dining, but I also shop at Walmart and online in a rush. I love to cook, too, so I’d probably lean on a card with a grocery rewards category more than one with a restaurant category. On paper, my spending habits meant a card with a high rewards rate at grocery stores would be helpful. But in practice, I’d likely rack up more rewards with a flat-rate card. Knowing I wanted a future-proof, flat-rate rewards card with diverse redemption options and plenty of pairing opportunities helped me quickly narrow my search to the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Although it doesn’t carry the highest flat cash back rate, its combination of both 1.5 percent back on general purchases and 3 percent back on dining and drugstore purchases gives it an extra layer of rewards value.
Down the road, I can even boost the value of the Freedom Unlimited card’s rewards by adding the Chase Sapphire Preferred to my wallet and redeeming points for travel. I can also shore up my rewards earning with the categories from a card like the Capital One SavorOne or Blue Cash Everyday.
Until then, the Freedom Unlimited gives me a stellar foundation on which to build my rewards strategy.
— Garrett Yarbrough — Writer, Credit Cards
What people say about the best credit cards
Because people have many options when looking for their next credit card, reading current cardholders' experiences can be helpful. We reviewed the most useful comments on the best credit cards from online forums and discussion boards, vetted this information to ensure accuracy, and curated the highlights here.
For many Reddit and myFICO Forums users, American Express cards come out on top. While people favor the Amex Platinum and Gold cards for their lucrative rewards structure and perks, both the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express are noted for their high rewards rate on grocery purchases.
For one Reddit user, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred provides plenty of value because of its high reward rates on groceries and other key categories.
"Groceries are my highest spend. Multipliers on streaming and gas are nice, as well as the purchase protection, return protection and extended warranty it provides."
However, some commenters on myFICOforums observe that the Blue Cash Preferred card's annual fee and yearly spending cap on groceries cut into rewards. If that’s a concern for you, we recommend choosing the Blue Cash Everyday instead: though the rewards rates are lower, you’ll get a valuable no-annual-fee card.
Current cardholders also shared these perspectives about the best credit cards:
Rotating bonus categories: Discover it® Cash Back cardholders enjoy its high rewards rate in different categories each quarter.
Customized bonus categories: Both the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card are considered strong cards, especially when paired with an unlimited flat-rate card. Our current Bankrate Award winner for best flat-rate cash back is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
Travel cards: Many Reddit users cite the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card as their go-to cards. While some would like improvements in Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature, one Redditor points out, "I use [the Chase Sapphire Reserve] mainly for gas and dining, transfer points from my other Chase cards over, and it seems like points just add up." Capital One's suite of Venture cards also gets high praise, particularly for the issuer’s "fantastic app" that makes the user experience seamless.
Everyday spending: Most Reddit users agree that finding a 2 percent flat-rate cash back card with no annual fee would be best for everyday, general spending. Many commenters on Quora list the Citi Double Cash® Card as a great card for its 2 percent cash back (1 percent when you buy and 1 percent when you pay off your purchase), with no spending cap or annual fee.
At the end of the day, the best credit card is the one that meets your needs and earns a high rewards rate in categories where you do the most spending. For many people, that’s groceries, which is why the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is so popular. If you want to carry more than one card, as many credit card users on Reddit and other forums do, you can get more value by using a flat-rate cash back card for general purchases and pairing it with a card that earns high rewards rates in your favorite spending categories.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
What's the credit card application process?
Once you’ve decided which credit card is best suited for your needs, it’s finally time to apply for your new card. You’ll have the best approval odds if you pursue a card that welcomes applicants with your credit score or if you’ve received a prequalified card offer.
Before you start filling out applications, find out your current credit score. Knowing your credit score will give you a better idea of:
The cards you’re most likely to qualify for. On Bankrate, each card offered by our partners lists a recommended credit score you can use as a guide.
The APR you might be offered. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get a lower APR.
You can check your credit score through any of the major credit bureaus, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) or possibly through your bank. Based on the FICO scoring model, a good-to-excellent credit score will fall in the range of 670 to 850 (or 661 to 850 on the VantageScore model).
Choose the right card for you
Choosing the best credit card for you comes down to deciding which card provides the most value based on your financial situation, spending habits and more. Think about these questions when a credit card offer catches your eye:
What’s your credit score? The better your credit score, the better your chance of qualifying for a credit card with excellent perks and terms. If your credit score isn’t high enough for the card you prefer, work your way up to it by improving your credit.
Do you plan to carry a balance? It’s best to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid paying interest, but a low-interest credit card may be a wise choice if you expect to carry a balance from time to time. Credit union cards often offer especially low rates, with low-end APRs sometimes ranging from 8 percent to 14 percent.
Are you looking to pay off debt or a large purchase? Most no-annual-fee cards only offer an intro APR for 12 to 15 months. If you need more time to pay off debt, consider a dedicated balance transfer card. These cards often carry longer intro APR periods of 18 to 21 months.
What are your spending habits? If your spending is concentrated in a certain area (like groceries or travel), look for a card that earns 2 percent to 6 percent rewards back in that category. If you don’t spend a lot in one particular category, consider a card that earns up to 2 percent rewards back at a flat rate on all purchases.
Can you earn a sign-up bonus? No-annual-fee rewards cards typically offer sign-up bonuses worth around $200 after you spend $500 to $1,000 in the first three months. Meanwhile, premium rewards cards generally offer bonuses worth $500 to $800 after you spend $4,000 to $6,000 in your first three or six months. Business cards often offer even more valuable sign-up bonuses with a bigger spending requirement to match.
Look for personalized or prequalified offers
With a prequalified credit card offer, you can get an idea of your approval odds without submitting an application that will trigger a hard credit inquiry. Hard credit inquiries temporarily decrease your credit score and stay on your report for two years. Prequalification processes usually involve a soft credit check, so they could help you avoid minor, short-term dings to your credit score as you shop for the right card.
One way to find and compare offers is by using tools like CardMatch™. CardMatch only requires a soft credit pull and lists cards that match your credit profile. Based on your information, you may also receive special offers and prequalified matches. However, it’s important to be aware that a prequalified match is still not a guarantee of approval.
Fill out your application
You can apply for a card online via the issuer’s website, in person at an issuer branch, over the phone or by mail.
Before you begin filling out the application, you’ll need to have the following information on hand:
Full name
Date of birth
Address
Income
Social Security number
The issuer may also ask follow-up questions about your employment, housing situation or any additional assets and income.
Wait for a response from the credit card issuer
Your application can take as little as one minute to process, but you won’t always know whether your application was approved immediately. Getting a decision can take a few days or weeks, but issuers are required to inform you whether your application was approved or denied within 30 days of your application.
If you’ve been approved, you’ll typically get your card in the mail within 10 business days. Some issuers also provide a virtual credit card number upon approval that you can use before your physical card arrives.
Below, we’ve listed Bankrate’s three most popular credit card offers, based on how frequently our visitors began their application for them in 2023 compared to other cards that appeared on a “Best of” page in the same category (cash back, travel, business, balance transfer, etc.).
Cash back
Most clicked on:
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Travel
Most clicked on:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Balance Transfer
Most clicked on:
BankAmericard® Credit Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
Zero Interest
Most clicked on:
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
Fair Credit
Most clicked on:
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
Bad Credit
Most clicked on:
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card
Students
Most clicked on:
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Discover it® Student Chrome
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Business
Most clicked on:
Brex 30 Card
Revenued Business Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Bankrate data indicates that, regardless of the type of credit card, users prefer straightforward rewards programs, no annual fee and solid zero-interest periods.
These fan-favorite cards often carry flat rewards rates or strong rates in a mix of everyday bonus categories like groceries, dining and gas. The cards that received the most applications also tended to offer convenient cash back redemption options. We found that even among premium travel cards, the most popular cards were those that came at a low cost and offered a cash back redemption option: Most only had a $95 annual fee and let you redeem for cash back or statement credits that cover past travel purchases.
The number of credit cards you should have depends on your goals. For example, you’ll probably want to carry multiple cards if you’re looking to maximize rewards on a broader range of expenses or wield perks specific to your favorite stores, airlines or hotels. However, you may want to stick to one card if you prioritize building credit or a streamlined rewards experience.
Having several cards is fine as long as they deliver benefits that you take full advantage of (miles, cash back, perks and so on). Just beware of burdening yourself with annual fees and temporarily bruising your credit score from multiple card applications in a short period. For reference, statistics show that 77 percent of U.S. adults have at least one credit card, with the average American holding three to four credit cards.
A credit card application could have a negative (but temporary and relatively small) effect on your credit score. Getting approved for a credit card or other type of credit account requires some scrutiny of your track record as a borrower. The process can involve two types of credit checks:
A “hard” inquiry is when the lender pulls your credit report to make a decision about whether to lend to you.
A “soft” inquiry is when the lender checks your credit as part of a preliminary screening. Pre-qualified credit card offers involve soft credit inquiries, so keep an eye out for cards that offer pre-qualification.
A hard inquiry can subtract a few points from your credit score temporarily, while a soft inquiry usually has no effect. You’ll want to limit the number of hard inquiries on your credit report, so be as selective as possible about which credit cards you apply for and try to get preapproved first.
Generally, you must be at least 18 years old to be the primary cardholder of a credit card. However, there are considerably more strict requirements to hold a credit card if you’re below the age of 21. You must be able to prove that you can independently pay your credit card bill or you can elect to have a cosigner, who is financially responsible for your bills if you cannot pay.
There is also the option to become an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card. With this option, you can have access to a credit line before the age of 18, though age restrictions will depend on the issuer.
How we assess the best credit cards
250+
cards rated
50+
rewards programs valued
5000
data points analyzed
40+
perks evaluated
When evaluating the best credit cards, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to saving on interest. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points.
We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards in each of our primary card scoring categories, including Cash Back, Rewards, Balance Transfer, Low Interest, Business, Credit-Building, and Student, as well as in a few popular subcategories like Travel, No Annual Fee, Airline and Hotel.
We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period length, ongoing APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Here’s a quick look at how our card ratings are distributed as of May 2024, as well as some of the key factors that we considered in selecting this month’s Best Cards.
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
5 stars 2%
4 - 4.9 stars35%
3 - 3.9 stars39%
2 - 2.9 stars22%
1 - 1.9 stars2%
For cards that put earning rewards front and center, a key criteria for their inclusion in our list of the best credit cards is whether they offer impressive rewards value. This includes a card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.
To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories, as well as how closely those categories match the average person’s spending habits. In other words: Does the card earn rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories?
We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.
This includes the following spending by category:
Groceries: $5,700
Dining out: $3,600
Entertainment: $2,400
Gas: $3,100
Apparel and services: $1,900
Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.
This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value
With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.
The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking, particularly in the Rewards and Cash Back categories.
We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.
We rate all cards based on how their ongoing average APR compares to the average APR you’ll find on other cards in their primary category. However, the impact of an especially high or low APR on a card’s overall score depends on its primary category.
For rewards-earning cards, this factor has only a minor influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance. That said, rewards-earning cards may get a solid boost in score if they also offer an intro APR on balance transfers or new purchases, since such offers aren’t always present on these cards.
More important to these cards’ scores and their inclusion in our list is how their annual fees influence their overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.
Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.
Interest rates and intro APR offers play a much larger role in a card’s score and whether it’s included in our list when the card is designed specifically for users looking to save on interest charges. This could include cards in the Balance Transfer and Low Interest categories, as well as those designed for people new to credit or working to rebuild their score (the Credit-Building category).
We strive to feature cards with the most generous intro APR offers and lower balance transfer fees or ongoing APRs in our Balance Transfer and 0 percent Intro APR card categories. In these categories, factors like intro APR period length, ongoing APR and balance transfer fee make up a large portion of a card’s overall score and influence our decision to include it in our best cards list.
Along with rewards value and cost, we consider other factors that could give cards great long-term value, like flexible rewards redemption, unique and valuable perks or the ability to switch to another card with the same issuer after you’ve paid off debt or improved your credit score.
We rate rewards-earning cards based on the restrictions they impose on earning and redeeming rewards and consider this when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.
These restrictions could include only allowing users to earn a high rewards rate on a small amount of spending or requiring users to meet a certain earning threshold before they can redeem rewards. We also examine whether points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners.
We also evaluate each card’s perks based on their value, usefulness and uniqueness. Cards that offer top-tier benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits are likely to stand out in the Rewards and Travel categories, but we also aim to highlight cards that offer valuable under-the-radar perks, like the ability to graduate from a secured to an unsecured card with responsible use.
For low-interest, balance transfer and credit-building cards, we factor in the presence of a rewards program (as this could give the card better long-term value) and perks designed to help cardholders protect their credit score (like free credit monitoring or the ability to prequalify with no impact to your score).
The information about the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Ask the experts: What is the best feature you look for in a credit card?
I gravitate to the perks the credit card offers. For example, I have a United℠ Explorer Card. It's great for the miles, and since there is a United Airlines hub in San Francisco, where I live, I tend to fly with them frequently. But the perks are where it really stands out.
The “basic” United fare is substantially less than other classes, but you have to pay for overhead and checked baggage. Since this card offers complimentary checked bags, I come out ahead. I get the cheapest airfare plus free bag check!
These are the kind of things I recommend that people look for when they're considering new credit cards — perks that make your life easier and save you money.
For me, credit cards are all about rewards, rewards, rewards. I look specifically for cards that pay me back in great dividends for using them. I always want a good signup bonus. And for a card I want to keep and use long term, I specifically look for benefits that far outweigh the annual fee.
I look for no-annual-fee cards with rewards programs that match my spending habits. For example, I travel a lot but I do not have affinity for any particular hotel brand, so I like a travel card that rewards me for staying anywhere.
We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card,…
Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards…
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
