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Best credit cards of September 2024

Updated September 15, 2024

Advertiser Disclosure: 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 and how we rate our cards.

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Showing 17 results

Best for dining and entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$200

Rewards rate

1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Along with its hard-to-find entertainment category, it earns rewards in lucrative everyday spending categories.

Best for point value

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts terrific rewards value with its annual bonus points, practical bonus categories, high-value points and redemption flexibility.

Best for long intro APR

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Bankrate score

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4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Purchase intro APR

0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening

Regular APR

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

N/A

Best for balance transfers with excellent credit

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Citi's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Balance transfer intro APR

0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Rewards rate

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Why you'll like this: Its long balance transfer offer, alternative payment plans and a potentially low ongoing APR can help you save.

Best for bonus offer

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It’s currently offering a competitive sign-up bonus, which adds terrific short-term value to an already lucrative, flexible travel card.

Best for simplicity

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Bankrate score

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4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$200 cash rewards

Rewards rate

2%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Best for luxury perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 80,000 points

Rewards rate

5X - 5X

Annual fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: It boasts the most comprehensive airport lounge access you can get, plus dozens of other perks and credits totaling nearly $2,000 in value.

Best for travel card beginners

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Purchase intro APR

0% intro on purchases for 15 months

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Intro offer

20,000 miles

Rewards rate

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

Why you'll like this: 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.

Best for food and travel

American Express® Gold Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

60,000 points + earn up to $100 back

Rewards rate

1X - 4X

Annual fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: Its dining perks and top-tier rewards rate at both supermarkets and restaurants make it a uniquely valuable travel card for foodies.

Best for no-frills benefits

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 10 Miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It offers valuable perks at a much lower cost than other premium cards, including annual travel credits, airport lounge access and more.

Best standalone rewards card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Chase's secure site

Purchase intro APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Intro offer

Up to $300 cash back

Rewards rate

1.5% - 5%

Why you'll like this: 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.

Best for category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.4
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Discover's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: You can earn a massive sum of cash back on various purchases with Discover’s rotating categories and Cashback Match.

Best for students with no credit history

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock
on Discover's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Rewards Rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It’ll kick start your credit journey with a high-value welcome offer, a solid rewards program and forgiving rates and fees.

Best flat-rate cash back business card

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.7
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$2,000 cash back

Rewards Rate

2% - 5%

Annual fee

$150

Regular APR

N/A

Why you'll like this: 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.

Best for upgrading

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.2
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

29.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It offers a clear path to a higher credit limit and several lucrative rewards cards you could upgrade to down the line.

Best for low-cost credit building

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.2
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock
on Chime's secure site

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

None

Regular APR

N/A

Why you'll like this: You can avoid traditional secured card costs like a security deposit, interest charges and late payment fees.

Best credit limit policy

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.1
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

29.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Its minimum security deposit is exceptionally low, and it gives you a chance to increase your credit limit after six months.

compare
Compare

Compare Bankrate's best credit cards of 2024

Card name Our pick for Card highlights
Bankrate Score
Dining and entertainment

8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases

5% cash back on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel

3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

No annual fee

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Point value

3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), dining (including eligible delivery services) and select streaming services

5X points on Chase Travel℠ and Lyft Rides (Lyft offer through March 31, 2025)

2X points on other travel

25% point value boost toward Chase Travel redemption 

Yearly bonus points and credits: $50 annual hotel stay credit and 10% back on your previous year's total combined spending points 

$95 annual fee

 

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Long intro APR
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)
 
My Wells Fargo Deals can offer cash rewards
 
No annual fee

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Balance transfers with excellent credit
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
 
No annual fee
 

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site

Bonus offer

5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Travel

2X miles on all other purchases

Flexible miles can be redeemed for statement credits toward eligible travel purchases within the last 90 days

$95 annual fee

 

4.9 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Simplicity

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

No annual fee

 

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Luxury perks

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

$695 annual fee

 

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Travel card beginners

5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

1.25X miles on all purchases

No annual fee

 

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Food and travel

4X points on restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x poins) 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 Amex Travel

Over $400 in various credits on select dining and Uber Cash, provided as monthly credits toward eligible purchases; Uber Cash expires at the end of the month. Enrollment required for all credits.)

$325 annual fee

 

4.9 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
No-frills benefits

10X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel

5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

2X miles on all other purchases

Annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 account anniversary bonus miles can help offset part of the annual fee

$395 annual fee

 

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Standalone rewards card

5 percent cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠

3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases

1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases

No annual fee

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site

Category variety

5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)
 
Automatic Cashback Match™ for all rewards earned at the end of your first year
 
No annual fee

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
Students with no credit history

5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%)

Automatic Cashback Match for all rewards earned at the end of your first year

Low rates and fees, including no foreign transaction fees, penalty APR or late fee on the first late payment (up to $41 after that)

No annual fee

 

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site

Flat-rate cash back business card

Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase

$150 annual fee (refunded every year you spend $150,000 with the card)

 

4.7 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Upgrading

Could be available with fair credit without a security deposit

Considered for a credit limit increase after an account review starting after six months

No annual fee

 

4.2 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Low-cost credit building

No credit check required

Low rates and fees, including no foreign cash advance fees or late payment fees

Potential $10,000 secured credit limit, and no minimum credit limit.

No annual fee

 

4.2 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Chime's secure site
Credit limit policy

A security deposit as low as $49 ($49, $99 or $200, based on creditworthiness) that provides at least a $200 credit limit

Considered for a credit limit increase after an account review starting after six months

No annual fee

 

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

How do credit cards work?

A credit card is a financial product similar to a personal line of credit: Credit cards allow you to borrow money from a bank to make purchases. You're then expected to pay back what you owe, either in full by a set due date or in partial payments over time. When you’re approved for a credit card, you're assigned 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 (in other words, debt) from month to month. This means you can make partial or minimum payments rather than paying off your balance in full. The downside to carrying a balance is that you'll face interest charges based on your credit card’s APR, or annual percentage rate. Your credit card’s APR is effectively the cost of borrowing money. But remember: Credit card interest is only relevant 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.

Credit card rewards programs are another major advantage of credit cards. Cards typically earn one of three types of rewards: cash back, travel miles or points.

  • Cash back is the simplest form of rewards. With a cash back card, you earn back a percentage of your purchase cost, so if your card earns 3 percent back in a certain spending 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, gift cards and more.
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Pros and cons of credit cards

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Expert insights: What is the best credit card of 2024?

No one card will be “the best” for everyone, but certain cards will likely stand out based on your goals, spending habits, credit score and more.

The 2024 Bankrate Award winners are a great place to start if you want to see which cards we've highlighted as among the best on the market for different types of cardholders. 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 month's "Best of" list were winners in 2024 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, 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
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited® — Best credit card for cash back fans (three-time winner*), Best credit cards for stacking (two-time winner* with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards)

Stay tuned for our next batch of winners when we announce the 2025 Bankrate Award winners later this year.

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2024 Bankrate Awards for Credit Cards

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Our data: Which cards are the most popular?

Below, we’ve listed Bankrate’s three most popular credit card offers. We assess popularity based on how frequently Bankrate visitors started an application for each card in 2023 compared to other cards in the same primary category (cash back, travel, business, balance transfer, etc.) that also appeared on a “Best of” page.