Credit cards may seem like just a small, thin, piece of plastic with numbers on it, but they are actually pretty powerful pieces of plastic. These cards allow cardholders access to borrowed money to pay for things.
The key here is that the borrowed money is repaid in the form of monthly payments. Also, every time a purchase is made with a credit card, interest is accrued on the amount of money borrowed.
A good thing about credit cards is that when used properly, where monthly statements are paid on time, they can actually build up your good credit history. Good credit history is almost a necessity when it comes to purchasing homes, cars or large purchases.
However, if you go looking for the perfect credit card, the first thing you may find is that there seems to be an endless number of cards available. Each card also offers different perks, rates, and other terms which makes choosing one hard to do.
Here are The Smart Investor Select’s picks for the best credit cards of 2023:
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee | Best For |
| 1-5%
5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases
| Match Bonus
unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically
| $0 | Rotating Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1% – 5%
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
| $200
5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases
| $0 | Cashback and 0% Intro | |
| 1.5% – 5%
5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
| Up to $300
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
| $0 | No Annual Fee | |
| 1-6%
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit
and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
| $250
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
| $95 ($0 intro for the first year) (Rates & Fees) | Everyday Spending | |
| 1-5%
5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% cash back on restaurant, gas, and drugstores, 1% cash back on all other purchases
| $150
$150
| $0 | Amazon Shoppers | |
| 2X – 5X
5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
| 60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| $95
| Value for Money | |
| 2%*
2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.
| None
None
| $0 | Flat Rate Cashback | |
| 1% – 4%
unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
| $300
$300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $95 | Welcome Bonus |
What Is The Best Credit Card Overall?
A lot of consumers naturally wonder which credit cards offer the best value for their money, and which credit cards can best help them manage their finances and plan for the future.
It would be incredible if there were a single credit card that could help everyone manage their finances, with ideal benefits for every situation.
There’s just one problem, no perfect credit card exists for every situation.
Credit cards are designed for different kinds of situations. That means that there probably is a good credit card for you, no matter your situation, but that the best credit card for you isn’t going to be the same and the best credit card for someone else.
Here are some things to consider when you’re choosing a credit card.
- Why do you want a credit card? Are you looking for a way to manage monthly bills? Do you need to build credit? Are you a college student looking to learn to manage your own finances and build a credit history? Are you a frequent traveler looking for a credit card that can make travel more affordable?
- What’s your current credit score? The best credit card for you might be influenced by your credit score. The better your credit the more likely you are to qualify for cards with better rewards programs and additional bonuses for cardholders.
- Do you have a family? If you have family members, especially kids, you might need a different kind of credit card than if you’re single or looking for a business-use card. Getting a card that offers benefits on groceries, home supplies, and other items can make your family expenses much more affordable.
There are a lot of other questions when you’re looking for a good credit card, including what kind of rewards program you want to get and whether you’re a high or low spender, but those three questions will help you narrow down the best options for you.
Now that we’ve talked a little about how to choose the best credit card for you let’s look at some of the best credit card options right now.
Discover it® Cash Back
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of our favorites, mainly due to its high flexibility. This card offers a very high rewards rate on some categories that rotate every few months. The card gives a 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases. This is one of the best cards for gas and groceries, and some of the categories include restaurant, online shopping and many more.
However, on all other purchases, excluding the ones in the category selected, you will only receive a 1% cashback. The Discover it® Cash Back also offers 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and a great sign up bonus. This card is best for individuals who understand their spending habits and want to leverage the high reward rate the card offers, or those who plan a big purchase in the next couple of months.
- Rewards Plan: 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases
- APR: 16.74% - 27.74% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Sign Up bonus: unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- 0% Intro APR Period
- High Cash Back for Select Spending Categories
- Matches Cash Back in the First 12 Months
- No Annual Fee
- Limit on Cash Back Spending Per Quarter
- Keeping Track of Bonus Categories
- Less Merchant Acceptance
- Balance Transfer Fee
- What are the cash-back rewards limit? There is a $1,500 cap on purchases each quarter that allows you to get the bonus cashback rates. Otherwise, no cap.
- Does Discover it Cash Back ask for proof of income? No out and out request for proof of income and no transparent income requirements.
- Does card rewards points expire? No expiry date for these points.
- Can I get pre-approved on card Discover it Cash Back? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit of card Discover it Cash Back Card? The minimum credit limit will be $300.
- How do I redeem cash back? You can get the rewards in the form of cash, statement credit, or gift cards.
- What purchases don't earn cash back ? All purchases will earn cashback.
- Should You Move to Discover it Cash Back Card? If you want to get good rewards from bonus categories and want access to a good signup offer.
- Why did Discover deny me? What to Do Next? You might not have met all of the requirements. You can enquire as to where your application fell short. If you cannot proceed, you can look at some of the other available options.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Reward Details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is a Visa credit card issued through one of the largest US lending institutions, U.S. Bank.
With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card you can earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
This card also has a generous sign-up bonus of $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $500 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Also, there is a lengthy 0% introductory rate and the card has no annual fee.
- APR: 18.99% - 28.99% Variable APR
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2%
- Rewards Plan: 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
- Sign Up bonus: $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $500 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 15 billing cycles on balance transfers
- Sign-Up Bonus
- Cash Back Rewards
- 0% APR Introductory
- No Minimums for Redemption
- Choose Spending Categories
- Restriction on Cash Bonuses
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Opt in Every Quarter
- Visa Signature Card
What is the initial credit limit?
The starting credit limit for either of these cards can be as low as $1,000, but it is typically between $1,000 and $1,500 depending on a number of factors including your credit history, income and existing debt.
How much is 10,000 points worth?
The Cash+ reward system is easy to understand as you simply earn a percentage of your purchases as cash back.
What are the top reasons not to get the Cash+ card?
If you’re a keen traveler, you’re likely to be disappointed by the lack of travel rewards and redemption options. If you’re looking for a travel card, there are far better options, particularly if you have good to excellent credit.
What are the card income requirements?
You’ll need good to excellent credit for the Cash+. However, U.S Bank will consider your income when determining your initial credit limit upon approval.
Is there a cash back limit?
You can only earn 5% on $2,000 of combined purchases across the two categories each quarter. After this, the cash back rate will drop to the base 1%. However, there is no cap on the 2% category.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card provides an enthralling combination of lavish rewards, including a 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It offers a nice sign-up bonus of 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.
Another beenfit worth mentioning is the long 0% intro APR - 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (20.24%–28.99% variable after that). Overall, Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the best options in the market, especially for those who are looking to save the annual fee. The main difference betweeb the Freedon Unlimited and the Freedom Flex card is the rewards model.
- APR: 20.24%–28.99% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Rewards Plan: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Sign Up bonus: 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
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash Back Rewards + Sign Up Bonus
- 0% APR on Balance Transfers & Purchases
- No Annual Fee
- Protection & Free Credit Score
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Less Relevant For Frequent Travelers
- Is there a limit to cashback rewards? There is no cap.
- Can I get car rental insurance with a Chase Freedom Unlimited card? Yes, when you rent the car and pay for all of it with this card and do not accept coverage from the rental company.
- Should You Move to Chase Freedom Unlimited card? This is a good fit for people who are looking for no annual fee card including good cashback rates that do not change.
- Why did Chase Freedom Unlimited card deny me? You might not have met one of the requirements for this card. You can talk with a member of the customer support team to see what the issue is and how you might be able to rectify it.
- How hard is it to get a Chase Freedom Unlimited card? It is not very hard to get this type of card once you meet all of the straightforward requirements.
- How to maximize rewards on the Chase Freedom Unlimited card?
- You can choose between the options as to how you utilize the rewards. To maximize rewards, you should make the most of the signup bonus and also be aware of which of your credit cards have the best cashback for a particular type of purchase.
- Top reasons NOT to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited card? If you are looking for higher flat cashback rates. You may also travel a lot and not want to pay the 3% foreign exchange transaction charge that comes with this card.
- Does Chase ask for proof of income? There is no specific income requirements and it does not usually ask for proof of income requirements.
- Does the card offer pre-approval? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? The initial credit limit varies, but can often be between $1,000 and $5,000.
- How do I redeem cashback? Go to the Ultimate Rewards section that Chase offers and you can choose between the options as to how you utilize the rewards.
- What purchases don't earn cashback with the Freedom Unlimited card? All purchases earn cashback with this card.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
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Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Considered as one of the best american express credit cards, The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an outstanding 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases , making it a suitable choice for commuters and a 2.70% fee on foreign transactions. Terms Apply.
However, warehouse clubs and superstores are not included. The American Blue Cash Preferred Card charges an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro for the first year), but you can justify this if you reach the higher cashback threshold in U.S. supermarkets. This makes the card suitable for individuals that buy or purchase their groceries at traditional supermarkets. New cardmembers can earn up to $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Rewards Plan: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
- APR: 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
- Annual Fee: $95 ($0 intro for the first year)
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.70%
- Welcome Bonus: $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate Months: 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
* Terms Apply
- Welcome Bonus
- Cash Back Rewards
- 0% APR Intro
- Redeeming Options
- Extended Warranty on Purchases
- $95 Annual Fee
- Short Introductory Rates
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Minimum Redemption Amounts
- Is there a limit to rewards/cash back? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%.
- Can I get car rental insurance? how? Yes, you will get this insurance if you refuse the car rental company’s insurance coverage and you pay for the entire cost of the rental with this card.
- Does it have a cash-back/point rewards limit? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
- Do you need a proof of income? No transparent income requirements or proof of income requests.
- Does the rewards points expire? They do not expire once you keep your account open and meet a few basic conditions.
- Can I get pre-approved? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? It will be at least $1,000 and usually greater.
- How do I redeem cash back? The rewards will be credited to you in the form of a statement credit.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Reward Details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is one of the best shopping cards available, especially if you're a frequent buyer on Amazon. This card offers an outstanding 5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% cash back on restaurant, gas, and drugstores, 1% cash back on all other purchases, making it a suitable choice for commuters and a 0% fee on foreign transactions.
However, warehouse clubs and superstores are not included and you aren't eligible for 0% intro APR period. Overall, the Amazon card is suitable for individuals that buy or purchase their groceries at traditional supermarkets.
- Rewards Plan: 5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% cash back on restaurant, gas, and drugstores, 1% cash back on all other purchases
- APR: 19.24% – 27.24% Variable
- Annual Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Sign Up bonus: Up to $150 Amazon gift card upon approval
- Sign-Up Bonus
- Cash Back at Supermarkets & Gas Stations
- No Annual Fee
- Extended Warranty on Purchases
- Amazon Prime subscription required
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Minimum Redemption Amounts
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards card issued by Chase Bank. This is a very popular travel rewards card because it offers a large sign-up bonus and the card is built around traveling. Many travel rewards cards have higher annual fees for the same kind of rewards. The card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
This card is on our top spot in regards to the best traveling and dining cards as they offer you more points compared to other cards - 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases . If you Compare the Preferred vs the Reserve card, its travel rewards are fewer - but it make sense due to the difference in annual fee between the cards.
- Rewards Plan: 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- APR: 21.24%–28.24% variable APR
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5% or $5, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Sign Up bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 0% APR Introductory Rate: N/A
- Point Sign-Up Bonus
- Bonus Points
- No Blackout Dates
- 25% More through Ultimate Chase Rewards
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- $95 Annual Fee
- Low Merchandise Rewards
- No Introductory 0%
- Balance Transfer Fee - 5% or $5, whichever is greater
- Does the travel rewards points expire? Your points won’t expire once you keep the credit card account open.
- Does card Chase Sapphire Preferred offer pre-approval? Yes, you are able to pre-qualify for this card.
- What is the initial credit limit? The minimum credit limit that you can get with this card type is usually $5,000.
- How do I redeem cash back? You can redeem your points in a variety of ways through the Chase credit card reward portal. Some of the perks you can get include cash, travel credit, statement credit, and gift cards.
- What purchases don't earn cash back? All purchases will earn cashback through this card.
- Should You Move to Chase Sapphire Preferred card? If you travel frequently and do not want to pay a large annual fee.
- Why did the Chase deny me? You might not have met one of its requirements. You will usually find out where you fell short. You might be able to rectify the issue or you might have to look elsewhere.
- How hard is it to get a Chase Sapphire Preferred card? If you meet all of the requirements, then it is relatively straightforward to get a Chase Sapphire Preferred card. The requirements are easier compared to Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
- Is there a limit to rewards/cash back on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card? No limit
- Can I get car rental insurance with a Chase Sapphire Preferred card? how? Yes, you can get car rental insurance with this card if you decline the collision cover of the rental company and pay for the entire cost of the rental car with this card.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Reward Details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
Looking for a credit card issuer that offers an unrivaled flat-rate cash back rewards on all your purchases with no annual fee and a straightforward reward structure, then look nowhere else; Citi Double Cash is the best for you. You can get up to 1% cashback when you use the card plus an additional 1% whenever you make a payment. The flexible redemption options of this card make it a potentially lucrative option for its users.
Some of the benefits you can get from using this card include an outstanding intro APR of 18 months on balance transfers as well as None. If you're looking for a rotating category card of Citi, the Citi Custom Cash provide higher cash bacl rate - but it's capped, unlike the Double Cash card.
- Rewards Plan: 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.
- APR: 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Sign Up bonus: None
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 18 months on balance transfers
- Simple and Generous Rewards System
- 0% Intro APR
- Fee Waiver on First Late Payment
- No Annual Fee
- Average Cashback Rate
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Is there a limit to cash back rewards? No limit in place
- Can I get car rental insurance with Citi Double Cash? Yes, it offers rental insurance for cars if you pay for the full cost with this credit card and you decline the rental company’s insurance.
- What are the income requirements? No out and out income requirements and normally you will not have to provide proof of income.
- Does cash back rewards expire? They don’t expire once you keep your account open.
- Does card Citi Double Cash Credit Card offer pre approval? Yes, pre-approval is a possibility.
- What is the initial credit limit? It will normally be at least $500.
- How do I redeem cash back? You will be able to redeem the cashback points through direct deposit, check, or as a statement credit. You can also use them in other ways, such as spending on gift cards, Amazon.com, and on travel.
- What purchases don't earn cash back? All purchases earn cashback
- Should You Move to Citi Double Cash Card? If you like predictability and want an incentive to meet your payment commitments.
- How to maximize rewards on Citi Double Cash ? Make sure that you make your minimum due payments.
- Top Reasons NOT to get the Citi Double Cash? If you want a higher cashback rate you may need to look for another card.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Reward Details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Capital One credit card is the Savor card, which offers unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem cash back for any amount.
In addition, there is a significant sign up bonus of $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, as well as no foreign transaction fee.
However, if you don’t spend enough on these types of activities then you won’t get ahead much on the rewards due to the $95 annual fee.
- Rewards Plan: unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
- APR: 20.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Sign Up bonus: $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- Sign Up Bonus
- High Cash Back
- No Rotating Categories
- $95 Annual Fee
- Approval Can Be Strict
- No 0% Intro APR
- Can I get car rental insurance with Capital One Savor? Yes, once you refuse the insurance offered by the rental company you will automatically get coverage if you fund the entire purchase through this card.
- Does it have a cash-back rewards limit? There is no limit.
- Does Capital One ask for proof of income? No out and out request for proof of income and no transparent income requirements.
- Does Capital One Savor Card offer pre approval? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? The minimum credit limit is set at $5,000.
- How do I redeem cash back? You can get them sent to you in the form of a check, as a statement credit, or get them given to you through gift cards.
- What purchases don't earn cash back? All types of purchases are eligible for cashback with this card.
- Should You Move to Capital One Savor Card? If you spend enough on the premium cashback categories to justify the annual fee.
- Why did Capital One Savor Card deny me? What to Do Next? You might not have met all of the requirements. You can enquire as to where your application fell short. If you cannot proceed, you can look at some of the other available options.
- How to maximize rewards on Capital One Savor Card? Make the most out of the signup offer and use this card for the premium cashback categories to get the best bang for your buck.
- Top reasons NOT to get the Capital One Savor Card? If you will not reap enough rewards to justify the $95 annual fee.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card
Best Store Cards To Build Credit With
Store credit cards are a great way to start building credit without a lot of risks since store credit cards tend to have a lower credit limit than other kinds of credit cards. Plus, since these cards often come with discounts at your favorite retailers, they can also help to lower your cost of living.
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Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
This card is a great option for most college students and families since Walmart offers such a wide selection. This card gives you a fairly good discount on Walmart purchases, including 5% cashback on all online orders as 2% cashback in-store.
This is also a store card that you can use for other kinds of purchases as well. It’s accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted and offers 1% cashback on non-Walmart purchases.
The introductory 5% cashback in Walmart stores for the first 12 months can also be a great way to use your card a little more often, build your credit, and get good cashback rates as well. That makes this a good card for people who haven't had a credit card before, since it will help incentivize you to use the card and monitor its credit limit and payments.
Amazon Prime Rewards Card
The Amazon Prime Store Card requires you to have an Amazon Prime account, but it's a good option for college students and most consumers. Families will benefit from the cashback offers on the card in addition to the other products and services that come with prime, but it’s also a great option for travelers, big and small spenders, and almost everyone else.
That’s because this card offers 5% cashback on all Amazon purchases (with a Prime account). That’s a powerful reward when you consider that Amazon offers such a wide variety of products, increasingly faster shipping services, and has several other services attached to Prime membership.
This card also gives you occasional bonus rewards between 5-15% of purchase value on some promotional items. That means that the Amazon Prime Store Card is one of the highest rewards store cards currently available.
Best No Annual Cards For Everyday Purchases
Free credit cards don’t have an annual fee, are usually relatively easy to qualify for, and have limited fees associated with card ownership. They aren’t truly free, you can still be fined if you miss a payment or go over your spending limit, but they are significantly more affordable than other alternatives.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a great card for everyday purchases thanks to its higher cashback rates on essentials like groceries (3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). There is also a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
It’s a reasonable option for single people who are looking for a moderate rewards program but who can’t afford the annual fees of a better rewards card.
Citi® Double Cash Card
This Citi Double Cash card has one of the highest cash back rates in the credit card industry. Every purchase earns you double cash back. You get 2% cash back on everything you buy; 1% cash back when you buy and the remaining 1% cash back when you pay for the purchase.
When this period expires, the APR reverts to a variable rate of 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable). If you want to combine your credit card debts, this card can be used for credit card consolidation because it offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. The Citi Double Cash Card does not have an annual fee.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver card is another option that’s affordable, practical, and incredibly easy to manage. The cashback rate is another flat-rate unlimited cashback offer, 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
The real advantage of this card is that you can redeem rewards in a variety of ways. The card’s reward system also works with PayPal, which means you have the option o directly paying for things online with your cashback rewards as well.
Citi Custom Cash Card
The Citi custom cash is ideal for those who want to earn more money in specific categories. After you sign up for this card, Citi will give you $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening (20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back). Cardholders can also earn 5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to the first $500 spent and 1% cash back thereafter.
The Citi Custom Cash Card, like other Citi cards, includes additional benefits such as contactless payment, digital wallets, automatic account alerts, $0 liability on unauthorized charges, and free access to your FICO® Score.
Best Rewards Cards For Students
College students should consider starting to build their credit early, if possible. These cards offer solid rewards programs but are designed for college students. That typically means lower limits and interest rates, but reasonable rewards.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
The Deserve EDU credit card is designed for people with good to excellent credit, but since it’s a student card they also accept applicants with limited credit history. That’s different from bad credit history, even though your actual credit score may be similar.
This card is also a good option for international students since you don’t have to provide your social security number to qualify.
It’s also got a really simple rewards system; you get a flat 1% cashback on every purchase. Mastercard isn’t quite as widely accepted as Visa though, so you may not be able to use this card with all retailers.
Capital One Journey Student Rewards
This is another good option for students since it doesn’t require a lot of credit history to qualify. It offers earn 1% cash back and another 0.25% if you pay on time, so you can boost your cash back to a total of 1.25%.
This card is also fantastic for helping students develop good credit habits since they boost your rewards when you make credit payments on time.
Best Secured Cards With No Annual Fee
Secured credit cards require a deposit, but they make credit cards much more accessible to people with less than perfect credit. These offers are attractive whether you have a bad credit history and want to rebuild, don't have much credit history, to begin with, or just can’t quite qualify for a non-secured card.
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One
This card has a variable deposit depending on your credit history and the limit on the card. But that also means that people with almost any credit history can qualify for this card so long as you can afford the deposit on the card.
This card is also fairly widely accepted in the U.S., you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Since it’s a card from Capital One it’s also a great option if you want to rebuild your credit before applying for a different Capital One credit card. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable cardholder with a good payment history you’re much more likely to qualify for one of their other cards.
Chime Credit Builder
Chime is something a little different in a credit card. It’s a card that connects to the Chime app, which means that you get a lot of access to your account details. It’s one of the better options for younger users who are used to accessing everything digitally.
Since this card is a Visa, it’s a great option to help build your credit up faster because it’s accepted at most retailers. You may even be able to use this card internationally if you travel.
There is no credit check required to apply for this credit card. However, you will need to have a linked Chime Spending Account to use this credit card.
All in all, though, this is a fantastic secured credit card for younger and technically savvy users.
Best Secured Cards With Rewards
Secured credit cards don’t have to be limited, and they can still be wonderfully accessible. Getting some rewards on your secured credit card can help you make sure you’re getting the full benefit from your credit card.
Discover it® Secured
The Discover it® Secured is exactly the card most people think of when they want an accessible secured credit card. This card helps build your credit history and is reported to all three major credit history companies, it’s a great way to get on the fast track to credit recovery.
This credit card also comes with a serious bonus: the deposit on the card is refundable. If you close the account with a good credit history or prove that you're a trustworthy cardholder, you'll be able to get some or all of your initial deposit back.
It’s also a good option because this card offers solid rewards, 2% cashback.
This is a good option for anyone who is looking to maximize their income while also rebuilding credit.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured is a great option for those who want to build their credit while also receiving a lot of rewards. To open the account, cardholders should make a security deposit of $300-$4,900, and Bank Of America will review your account on a regular basis to see if you are eligible to have your security deposit returned.
The card offers the same rewards model as the original Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards: You'll get 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%).
According to LendingTree data, the average APR offered with a new credit card is 22.91%, as of December 2022:
Best Cash Advance Credit Cards
Getting a cash advance on your credit card is one way to pay for cash deals even if you don’t have the cash on hand immediately. On the other hand, if you withdraw a cash advance on a credit card that isn’t designed for it you’ll likely get handed a hefty fee.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The SavorOne card has relatively low fees for cash advances, but a slightly higher APR for a cash advance. It’s still a good deal compared to most credit cards, which means it’s a lot more affordable.
In addition to being a good credit card for getting a cash advance, this card is also a good option for foodies and fine dining lovers thanks to a relatively high dining cashback rate.
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
This card is another rarity when it comes to cash advances. It has a reasonable APR, 17.99%, and no cash advance fees. So you’re only going to pay for the cash you pull out, and you can avoid almost all of the cost of your cash advance if you pay back the full amount before it can accrue interest.
This is a good option for people who need cash available regularly, but who want a more consistent credit card.
This card is also a good option if you’re looking for a card that can do balance transfers.
Best Cashback Cards With No Annual Fee
Cashback cards help you make the most of your income, and cashback cards without annual fees even more so. These cards are great for moderate spenders who won’t get the full benefit of cards with annual fees, but who have good credit and use their credit cards moderately often.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
This card gives you a fairly generous cash back offer – 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This is really a good card for people who want to maximize their rewards for the lowest possible cost.
The Chase Freedom card is generally easier to get for members of Chase bank, but it’s available to anyone with qualifying credit. Since this card offers generous rewards, it does require relatively good credit, very good to excellent is best.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America cash rewards card is a good option for people who want a little more customization in their finances. The card offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%).
It can be a great card for families if you choose the right cashback benefits. No annual fee and a 0% introductory APR are both good reasons to consider opening a Bank Of America Cash Rewards card. The card does require fairly good credit, so it’s generally not a good option for a first credit card.
Does a Credit Card With Annual Fee Worth it?
For many consumers, a lack of an annual fee is an attractive feature of any credit card. Lenders have recognized this trend, and today, most cards do not have an annual fee. However, savvy consumers want more from their credit cards. In this chart created with US news data, you can see the percentage of no-annual fee cards by card type.
Best Cashback Cards With 0% Intro
0% introductory offers are a good way to save money and make sure you're getting the most from your income. Of course, these offers are only temporary, so you don't want to run up a huge balance or you’ll end up paying interest later on.
Citi® Double Cash Card
This card is a good option if you’re looking for an attractive introductory rate on a card that also has solid benefits and rewards for cardholders.
Citi has offered an especially long introductory offer on this card. You’ll have 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers (19.24% – 29.24% (Variable) after that). That’s a year and a half when most companies are only offering 12-15 months.
The Citi Double Cash card also accepts balance transfers in the first 4 months you have the account. Overall this is a very flexible offer and a card that works well in a variety of circumstances.
BankAmericard® Credit Card
The BankAmericard® offers reasonable terms with relatively low APR, letting you keep more of your money and spend less on interest. These cards are great for people with good credit who are looking to develop great credit. The card has no penalty APR, no annual fees, and 0% APR for 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days (16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers after that).
The real advantage of this card is that it's a very secure and very monitorable card. That makes it a good choice for people who are concerned about identity theft, or who have already had identity theft affect their finances. Overdraft protection and mobile banking make this a good credit card for learning good credit card habits.
However, there really isn't much of a rewards program on this credit card, so its low-cost fee structure is the main reward of card membership.
Best Cashback Cards for Families
If you have a family you know how important every dollar can be, whether you're saving for presents, a family vacation, a treat for dinner, or expensive lessons and after-school clubs.
These cards give you cashback where it matters most and help families stretch their income to go further and do more.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be a great fit for families who travel on a regular basis. It offers 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. New applicants also earn a sign up bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In addition to the basic rewards plan, there are a lot of special perks such as primary rental car coverage of up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage, complimentary priority pass select airport lounge membership, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit and multiple hotel and airline transfer partners. However, the $550 annual fee is quite high, so you need make sure your purchases cover it. Read more on our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express might be the best card option for families with teenage boys since it helps the most with grocery bills. The card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases . Terms Apply.
That means that you'll be able to keep your family well-fed and entertained at the same time. This card is really a good option that really covers all aspects of a family’s expenses.
Best Airline Cards For Frequent Flyers
Airline credit cards often offer some of the best travel benefits, especially for people who often fly with the airline offering the card. These are great for business people and frequent travelers since you need to fly a few times a year to get your money’s worth from this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles line of cards is actually three different American Express cards. That’s great because it lets consumers choose the credit card that best fits their travel habits and spending. The more often you travel the more premium a travel card you’ll likely want to get.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases (Terms Apply). There is a welcome bonus of 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Better yet, the card has it’s own matching system depending on how often you fly with Delta, which cabin you prefer to fly in, and other factors like your current credit rating. That matching system is great for making sure you get the right card for you.
That said, the annual fee is $99, $0 intro first year, so it’s likely only worth the cost for incredibly frequent flyers.
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
The The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a Mastercard, which means it has wide acceptance inside of the United States but isn’t very commonly accepted internationally. It offers 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar on grocery stores and eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases, and a sign up bonus of 10,000 miles and $50 statement credit if you spend $500 in first 3 months.
The card helps balance that limitation by offering AAdvantage bonus miles on a lot of different kinds of purchases, including everyday purchases like groceries. American Airlines tickets also earn more points, and you’ll get a 25% discount on purchases onboard American Airlines flights.
This card is great for people who want to save up miles for a big trip as well since there are no limits on the number of miles you can earn while you have the account.
Best Electronic Store Cards
As more and more things run off electricity and the internet it’s gotten more and more important to get your electronic devices at a good price. Having an electronics store credit card is one great way to get discounts on electronic items.
These cards are especially good for people working in technical fields, who love gaming, or who need high-end computers and electronic devices for any reason.
My Best Buy® Visa® Card
My Best Buy® Visa® Card is one of the most ubiquitous electronics stores out there, and it’s a good all-purpose electronics store. You can buy everything from computers to gaming consoles to TVs, along with all the accessories here.
Best Buy's store card gives you 5% back in rewards on shopping at BestBuy ( 6% back* in rewards for Elite Plus Cardmembers), 3% back in rewards on gas purchases, 2% back in rewards on dining, takeout and grocery purchases, 1% back in rewards on everyday purchases.
Newegg Store Credit Card
Newegg might have other kinds of electronics in their store, but they really specialize in high-end computers and computer components. These are great for the tech-savvy and anyone who needs the best in their computer, or who likes to use a custom computer rig.
This card has no annual fees and is a relatively low-cost option. Cardholders get access to sales and promotions alerts, no interest payments for the first 6 months on most purchases, and exclusive offers only for cardholders.
While you won’t get cashback directly on this card, you’ll be able to save money on purchases thanks to the incredible deals only given to cardholders.
Best Credit Cards For High Spenders
High spenders need something a little different from their credit cards. Getting a card that’s designed for higher spenders is a great way to maximize your funds and having one of these cards can give you additional incentive to run charges through your credit card instead of a debit card.
Plus, these cards can help you develop excellent credit that much faster.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you spend more than $5,000 every month and you like to travel from time to time, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be a perfect fit for your needs. The card offers 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases .
You might not earn as many more points on this card as you would expect, but that’s because Chase’s Sapphire Preferred points are worth more than the industry average, so you’ll be able to cash in for more valuable rewards that much faster.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is really all about maximizing your points on travel and everyday expenses, which can make it a good choice for high spending families and frequent travelers. You’ll get 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases (Terms Apply).
It also comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. However, the Amex Platinum annual fee is quite high – $695.
Best Credit Cards For A 700 Credit Score
700 credit score is something to be proud of. It’s not excellent, there’s certainly room for improvement there, but it can be hard to maintain good credit at times.
These cards are only available to consumers with good credit, and they can be a great way to make the most of your finances while also helping your credit get even better.
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa®
Costco credit cards are exclusively available to Costco members, but they are a good investment if you have a Costco membership. This card comes with 4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases.
There are some limits on cashback rates, but not on how much cashback you can earn.Fortunately, this card doesn't have an annual fee other than the cost of maintaining your Costco membership.
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Wells Fargo has a variety of good card offers, but this is one of the most appealing of an introductory offer. This card gives you 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (20.24% to 29.99% variable APR after that). That’s a good offer overall and makes it easier to open an account with Wells Fargo even if you don’t already have one.
This card comes with a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited). That makes this a good card for most users, and especially for consumers who prefer digital purchases and are relatively tech-savvy.
This card is best for moderate to high spenders since it's cashback offer works best if you're making purchases regularly. The main side benefit of this card is that Wells Fargo makes tracking your account, credit score, and other financial information incredibly easy to do.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is another great option for those who have excellent credit score and looking to get rewards on specific categories. The card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on selected categories each quarter and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Also, you can earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), drugstore purchases , and 1% on all other purchases.
Also, new applicants get a sign up bonus of $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
