Best credit cards of December 2024
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- Best standalone rewards card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for balance transfers with excellent credit: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Best for long intro APR: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- Best for food and travel: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for bonus offer: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for simplicity: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best for luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for travel card beginners: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card
- Best for category variety: Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for no-frills benefits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best business card for simplicity: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Best business card for spending bonuses: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Best for upgrading: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for low-cost credit building: Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Best credit limit policy: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
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Showing 18 results
Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.49% 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 boosted flat rewards rate and bonus rewards in popular categories like dining and travel.
Best for dining and entertainment
Intro offer
$250 Cash Back
Rewards rate
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Along with its hard-to-find entertainment category, it earns rewards in lucrative everyday spending categories.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.74% - 27.74% 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 balance transfers with excellent credit
Balance transfer intro APR
0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
17.49% - 28.24% (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.
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening
Regular APR
17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
N/A
Why you'll like this: It offers perhaps the longest intro APR period available on both new purchases and balance transfers.
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
60,000 points
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.
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.74% (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.
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the easiest flat-rate rewards cards to use thanks to its well-rounded features and unlimited 2 percent cash rewards with no strings attached.
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro 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
Purchase intro APR
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (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.
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: The Discover it Cash Back’s 2024 4th quarter bonus categories are perfect for holiday rewards.
Best for no-frills benefits
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 10 Miles
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.74% (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 business card for simplicity
Intro offer
Earn $750 bonus cash back
Rewards Rate
1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 23.74% Variable
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the most straightforward, easy-to-use business cards out there, offering a generous sign-up bonus and flat rewards rate at no annual fee.
Intro offer
$2,000 cash back
Rewards Rate
2% - 5%
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
Why you'll like this: Along with its generous unlimited flat cash back rate, it offers terrific sign-up and annual bonuses that can easily make the card worth it.
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.
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 26.49% 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 for low-cost credit building
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.
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.
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Compare Bankrate's best credit cards of 2024
Card name | Our pick for | Card highlights |
Bankrate Score
|
---|---|---|---|
|
Standalone rewards card |
5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases 1.5% cash back on all other purchases No annual fee |
4.8 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
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 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.
Apply now
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 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.
Apply now
on Chase'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 (17.49% - 28.24% (Variable) 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 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.
Apply now
on Citi'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
(17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% variable APR thereafter; 5% balance transfer fee, $5 minimum)
No annual fee |
4.3 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
|
|
Food and travel |
4X points on restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x points) 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 in monthly Uber Cash and credits toward eligible dining purchases (Uber Cash expires at the end of the month. Enrollment required for all credits.) $325 annual fee |
4.9 / 5 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.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
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 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Simplicity |
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases No annual fee |
4.3 / 5 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.
Apply now
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 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.
Apply now
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 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.
Apply now
on Capital One'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 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.
Apply now
on Discover's secure site
|
|
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 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Simplicity |
Unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all business purchases 5 percent cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
|
4.2 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
Spending bonuses |
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 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.
Apply now
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 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Students |
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 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.
Apply now
on Discover'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 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.
Apply now
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 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. |