How many credit cards should I have?

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.

What is a good sign-up bonus?

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.

Does applying for a credit card hurt your credit score?

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.

How old do I have to be to get a credit card?

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.

Best Credit Cards of December 2024

Compare Bankrate's best credit cards of 2024

Card name	Our pick for	Card highlights	Bankrate Score
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
American Express® Gold Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express	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. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Cash Back	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Spark Cash Plus	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Platinum Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Student Cash Back	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card	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. (Read card review) Apply now on Chime's secure site
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card	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. (Read card review)