At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page.
Why you can trust Bankrate
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you\'re well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial Integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.
How We Make Money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Insurance Disclosure
This content is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate.com. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states were it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
There’s a whole world of credit cards out there, but Bankrate knows you’re not trying to fit the world into your wallet. Our experts are dedicated to helping you make the right choice, with the best credit cards available from our partners—rewards, cash back, travel, balance transfer, 0 percent intro APR and more. We do the research so you don’t have to sift through hundreds of options to find the best credit card for you.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Intro bonus
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99%-24.99% Variable APR
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Consider this Wells Fargo card a prime pick if you’re looking for a flat-rate cash rewards credit card as its signature feature — 2 percent cash rewards on purchases — is a step above many of its direct competitors. A generous welcome offer sweetens the deal.
Rewards don’t expire while the account is open and there’s no limit to how much you can earn with the card.
You have a number of flexible redemption options, and there’s no minimum to start redeeming cash rewards.
Cons
Your reward redemption options are limited to cash rewards; you can’t transfer rewards to travel partners.
Some cash back cards have lower spending requirements attached to their welcome offers.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 14.99% to 24.99% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
$0 annual fee
No category restrictions or sign ups and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
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.
Rewards rate
5%
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more;
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1.5%
1.5% on all other purchases
Intro bonus
Earn an Additional 1.5% Cash Back
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Consider the Freedom Unlimited an excellent supplementary card to Chase’s Sapphire lineup, as its cash back can be converted to points when transferred to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Think of the intro APR period on purchases as a perk of owning this card, not a primary reason for getting it.
The card combines competitive cash back on general purchases with the possibility to earn more on select bonus categories.
The spending requirement for the card’s signup bonus is low compared to its major competitors.
Cons
You must book through the Ultimate Rewards portal to earn 5 percent back on travel.
There are flat-rate cash back credit cards that offer a higher return on general purchases.
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 14.99% - 23.74%.
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Intro bonus
$200
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 24.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
The Capital One Quicksilver Card is one of the most straightforward cash back rewards cards on the market, offering 1.5 percent on every purchase with no rotating bonus categories or rewards matrix to keep up with. Consider this card if you’re after a set-it-and-forget-it cash back rewards credit card.
This card charges no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Your rewards won’t expire for the lifetime of the card.
Cons
Following the introductory APR period, you might find the 14.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable APR to be a bit on the high side.
There are other cards on the market that offer a higher unlimited cash back rate.
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 14.99%-24.99% variable APR after that
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.
Rewards rate
8%
Earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023.
3%
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
1%
Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Intro bonus
$200
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 24.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This tasty, no-annual-fee alternative to the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a still-competitive unlimited 3 percent cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
There’s a relatively low spend requirement associated with the card’s sign-up offer.
The card touts a newbie-friendly fee structure, charging no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
Minus grocery stores, the card’s bonus categories are largely focused on discretionary spending.
Beware of redeeming cash rewards on Amazon.com, as there is a list of restricted items you can’t use rewards on.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 14.99% - 24.99% variable APR after that
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.
Purchase intro APR
18 months
0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
12.99%-24.99% Variable APR
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This card from Wells Fargo can net you up to 21 months from account opening of a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 12.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable APR). Keep in mind, you start with 18 months of promotional interest, but can qualify for up to a three-month extension by making on-time monthly minimum payments. That’s one of the longest promotional interest offers on the market.
The promotional APR applies to purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
The card comes with cell phone protection (up to $600, subject to a $25 deductible, when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card.)
Cons
You’ll need to pay attention to the fine print to secure the full up to 21 months at the intro rate.
If you don’t transfer the balance within 120 days of account opening, you’ll face a hefty 5 percent balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever is greater).
0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. 12.99% to 24.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min $5
$0 Annual Fee
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can earn cash back in the form of a statement credit while you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using your eligible Wells Fargo Credit Card
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
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.
Purchase intro APR
20 billing cycles
0% for 20 billing cycles on purchases
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.49% - 24.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Boasting one of the longest intro APR offers (20 billing cycles) on both balance transfers and purchases, this card is a great no-nonsense option to ensure you have plenty of time to pay off debt without the added interest costs. You also won’t have to worry about an annual fee, making this a low cost card all around.
The intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers is one of the longest on the market.
Cons
This card does not offer base rewards or a welcome bonus
Balance transfers must be made within the first 60 days and there is a 3 percent balance transfer fee ($5 minimum).
Limited Time Offer!
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.49% - 24.49%.
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
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.
Rewards rate
6%
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6%
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3%
3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases
Intro bonus
$300
Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Regular APR
13.99%-23.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
One of our favorite credit cards for families, the popular Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers outstanding rewards rates on everyday expenses, including at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
You don’t have to worry about enrolling in bonus categories to receive the extra cash back.
The card touts purchase protection, return protection and extended warranty benefits.
Cons
There’s a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, but you’ll pay a $95 annual fee thereafter.
The 6 percent bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets are capped at $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1 percent).
Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
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.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
1%
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro bonus
$200
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Attention, simplicity-seekers: This card from Citi makes maximizing cash back a bit easier by automatically awarding your bonus rewards (5 percent cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 in purchases and then 1 percent), no enrollment or guesswork required.
Eligible bonus categories include everyday expenses, like grocery stores and gas stations.
There’s a 15-month 0 percent introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers (then variable 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent APR).
Cons
Your bonus rewards are subject to a cap and limited to a single spending category.
The card charges a relatively high 5 percent (or $5, whichever is greater) balance transfer fee.
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
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.
Rewards rate
10X
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Intro bonus
100,000 miles
Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
16.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If you’re a frequent traveler wanting to strike the balance between top notch rewards, the most useful benefits and affordability, you may find your match with the Capital One Venture X. The annual statement credits significantly offset the annual fee and boosted flat-rate reward offerings let you earn big in various spending categories.
There is no penalty APR with this card, though you will be charged up to a $40 late payment fee.
You’ll receive up to a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees every four years
Cons
The barrier of entry to qualify for this card is high, as you must have excellent credit.
You must book through Capital One Travel to earn rewards in key travel categories.
Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening, equal to $1,000 in travel
Limited-time Offer: Receive up to $200 back in statement credits for vacation rentals charged to your account within your first year
Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Escape the airport crowd and recharge before your flight with unlimited access to all-inclusive amenities at the Capital One Lounge and at 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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.
Rewards rate
5X
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
Intro bonus
60,000 miles
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
15.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
For some travelers, flexibility can have a value all its own. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card addresses that need with an array of options for redeeming your miles. If you want more freedom in how you choose to pay for travel, consider taking this card along for the journey.
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.
Balance transfer intro APR
21 months
0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
While it doesn't have a sign-up bonus or rewards program, the card's outstanding intro offer makes it a first-class option for temporarily avoiding interest on a transferred balance. Consider this card if you want to stay focused on paying debt and fear rewards will entice you to overspend.
The promotional APR period for balance transfers is one of the longest currently on the market.
You get access to a number of popular Citi programs, including Citi Flex Loan, Citi Entertainment and Citi Easy Deals.
Cons
The lack of rewards does eat into the card’s long-term value.
You will pay a balance transfer fee of 5 percent of the amount you want to transfer (or $5, whichever is higher).
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 13.74% - 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.74% - 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
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.
Balance transfer intro APR
18 months
0% for 18 months
Intro bonus
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Few balance transfer cards will offer cash back rewards in addition to a lengthy intro APR offer on balance transfers. This card lets you have both of those perks along with a few extras: no annual fee, an intro APR offer on purchases and Discover’s trademark Cashback Match™ program.
Discover’s Cashback Match program will match all of the cash back you earn in the first year of card ownership.
There is a six-month intro APR offer on purchases with this card (then 11.99 percent to 22.99 percent variable APR).
Cons
You’ll need to keep track of enrollment dates and rotating bonus categories with this card.
There are other cards on the market with longer intro APR periods on purchases.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
No annual fee.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Click "Apply Now" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
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.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Intro bonus
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
12.99% - 21.99% Variable
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Thanks to its first-year Cash Back Match and generous rotating cash back program, the Discover it Student Cash Back is one of the most lucrative rewards credit cards available to students.
The card touts a number of consumer-friendly terms, including no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR.
There’s a six-month 0 percent introductory APR on purchases (then variable 12.99 percent to 21.99 percent APR).
Cons
The rotating bonus rewards program might be confusing to credit card newbies.
The card’s value goes down in your second year, once the Cash Back Match is no longer on the table.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Earn rewards while building your credit history that can help you after graduation. And, get your free Credit Scorecard that includes your FICO® Credit Score and important details that help make up your score.
No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
Refer-a-Friend: Once you become a Discover it® Student cardmember, you can earn a statement credit each time you refer a friend and they're approved. Over half a million students got Discover Cards from their friends' recommendations.
Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
Click "Apply Now" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
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.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Intro bonus
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If your spending is varied and you don’t mind a little legwork, this classic cash back card could prove quite lucrative. On top of rotating 5 percent cash back bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1 percent, enrollment required), cardholders enjoy a cash back match at the end of their first year.
Discover cards are known for consumer-friendly terms, including no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
There’s no cap on total cash back and no minimums for redeeming rewards.
Cons
Rotating cash back categories change each year, and some may be a better match for your spending than others.
Your earnings potential drops after the first year, when the Cash Back match is no longer on the table.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Redeem cash back in any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
No annual fee.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Click "Apply Now" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
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.
Rewards rate
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
2%
2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Intro bonus
$200
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99%-23.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express proves that you don't need to have an exceptional credit score (or pay an annual fee) to earn solid rewards on family-friendly purchases. The cash back rates on its bonus categories match up well with anyone who spends a lot to meet the needs of an on-the-go household.
Bonus categories are focused on everyday expenses vs. discretionary spending.
There’s an introductory APR offer on purchases.
Cons
The top-tier bonus category (3 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets) is capped at $6,000 per year (then 1 percent).
Superstores and wholesale clubs don’t count as U.S. supermarkets.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 15 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
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.
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Fair to Good (580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card leaves plenty of room for you to focus on proving your creditworthiness without the distraction of chasing extra rewards. Along with being a feasible option for those with fair credit, you also won’t have to pay an annual fee to carry this card.
The issuer will consider you for a higher credit limit if you demonstrate creditworthiness via six months of responsible use.
Capital One may consider applicants with FICO scores as low as 580 for this card.
Cons
The 26.99 percent variable APR is a bit high, even for the card category.
The lack of rewards does eat into the card’s long-term value.
Pay no annual fee
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen
Use online banking to access your account, even from your smartphone, with our mobile app
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
1-1.5% Cash Back
Unlimited 1-1.5% Cash Back on all Purchases
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0 - $19
Regular APR
26.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Fair to Good (580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
See if you qualify instantly without harming your credit score.
Enjoy Unlimited 1-1.5% Cash Back on all Purchases
Get a higher credit line if you're in good standing after making your first 6 payments on time
Free, online credit score access for cardholders
Instant decision on your application
No interest on purchases when you pay in full and on time each month
No security deposit required – get started today!
Enjoy coverage from Visa®
Access your account anytime, anywhere with our mobile app
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
1%
1% cash back on eligible purchases right away.
Intro bonus
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
12.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This card allows you to build credit while still earning cash back rewards, all without worrying about extra fees. Using this card responsibly will only reward you more over time, as you’ll earn up to 1.5 percent back on eligible purchases with 12 on-time payments.
This card doesn’t charge annual fees, foreign transaction fees, late fees or returned payment fees.
Deals at select merchants can earn cardholders 2 to 10 percent cash back.
Cons
You cannot do balance transfers or cash advances with this card.
There are no welcome offers or sign-up bonuses.
No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
$300 - $10,000 credit limits
Variable APRs range from 12.99% - 26.99%
No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal Card members.
Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
No deposits required
Card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
A complete guide to choosing and using credit cards
The right credit card can play an important role in helping you achieve your financial goals. But how do you choose among the hundreds of credit card offers available on today’s market? Bankrate is here to help.
Do you want to earn cash back on everyday purchases? Upgrade your travel experience? Manage different kinds of consumer debt? Build or repair your credit? Whatever your objective might be, our expert analysis of leading offers from our credit card partners can guide you.
Below, we evaluate top contenders for today’s best credit cards in all the major categories and narrow down the list to a select few. We also offer expert advice on how to best utilize a credit card as part of your overall personal financial profile.
This card is best for: Someone who wants to earn unlimited cash rewards on purchases at twice the rate of the typical 1 percent.
This card is not a great choice for: Anyone who’s opened another Wells Fargo credit card in the last six months. You’ll have to wait until six months have passed to apply for the Active Cash card.
What makes this card unique? Most cards that earn 2 percent cash rewards come with spending caps or tiered categories. With this card, earnings are unlimited on everyday purchases.
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card worth it? Yes, the Active Cash is worth it for cash rewards fans and maximizers.
This card is best for: Someone who wants a cash back card with multiple categories and a sign-up bonus that you can easily earn without overspending.
This card is not a great choice for: Infrequent travelers. Travel purchased through Chase is the highest-earning category at 5 percent per $1 spent, so people who don’t take many vacations or business trips won’t get the full benefit.
What makes this card unique? Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ are part of the Pay Yourself Back program.
Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited worth it? Yes. If you maximize your spending in eligible purchase categories, you can reap some worthy cash back rewards, not to mention the sign-up bonus’s solid value.
This card is best for: People who prefer simple cash back rewards: no special categories or earning limits, just 1.5 percent cash back on every eligible purchase.
This card is not a great choice for: Big spenders in certain purchase categories (groceries, gas, online shopping and so on) who could earn more with a card that has tiered or rotating bonus categories.
What makes this card unique? Unlike some rewards programs, Capital One provides full value when you redeem cash rewards through Amazon Shop with Points ($1 in cash rewards is worth $1 in redemption value).
Is the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card worth it? Yes. Earning flat-rate cash back might not be rocket science, but the Quicksilver is one of the most valuable set-it-and-forget-it choices you’ll find.
This card is best for: People who want to turn their appreciation for food and fun into plus-rate cash rewards.
This card is not a great choice for: Grocery shoppers who are exclusive to superstores and wholesale clubs. The complexities of merchant category codes mean that grocery purchases at establishments like Target or Sam’s Club aren’t likely to qualify for the SavorOne’s 3 percent rate.
What makes this card unique? Capital One provides access to presale tickets, discounts and more with dining, entertainment and sports experiences.
Is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card worth it? For social butterflies, you won’t find a better card. Pair the dining and entertainment rewards with the lack of an annual fee and the SavorOne provides a lot of bang for the buck.
This card is best for: Someone who is getting ready to make a big purchase or has existing high-interest credit card debt and needs a balance transfer.
This card is not a great choice for: Someone who wants to earn rewards on spending or is looking for a card with more long-term value; there are some promotional interest credit cards that offer rewards, albeit with a shorter window of time to skip interest on purchases or balance transfers.
What makes this card unique? The promotional interest offer extends to both purchases from account opening and qualifying balance transfers from account opening and even the base offer of 18 months is lengthy for a zero-interest intro APR card (then 12.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable APR).
Is the Wells Fargo Reflect Card worth it? Definitely. If you’re looking for a long window of time to pay off a big purchase or a balance transfer, you can’t do much better.
This card is best for: Anyone looking to finance a large purchase without extra interest charges for a fairly long period of time. This card has an intro APR offer of 20 billing cycles on both balance transfers and purchases (then 14.49 percent to 24.49 percent variable APR).
This card is not a great choice for: Someone looking to keep a card for long-term value, as this card doesn’t offer much of anything in terms of rewards.
What makes this card unique? The intro APR offers on this card are some of the longest offers on the market.
Is the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card worth it? Possibly. If you need a longer-than-average amount of time to pay off debts, this card is a very viable option. However, if you’re looking to reap extra rewards in the long-term, there are other cards with sizable intro APR offers that also have a decent rewards rate.
This card is best for: Modern, on-the-go families who spend a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming subscriptions.
This card is not a great choice for: People who prefer the simplicity of a flat-rate card that doesn’t involve doing the mental mathematics of calculating rewards rates for special purchase categories.
What makes this card unique? You’ll have a hard time finding a card with high-value rewards categories as family-focused as this one’s. The categories don’t rotate, so you won’t have to change your spending habits according to the calendar.
Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card worth it? Most likely. While there’s a $95 annual fee, Amex offers a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, so the reward earnings and benefits could help recoup that cost.
This card is best for: Someone who wants the high rewards rate of a bonus cash back card without having to activate or choose categories in advance.
This card is not a great choice for: Strategic shoppers who prefer plotting out their cash back strategy each quarter before they start spending.
What makes this card unique? The cash back program adjusts to your spending habits in the top eligible category each billing cycle so you’ll earn the highest rate where you’ve spent the most.
Is the Citi Custom Cash Card worth it? As a primary credit card, maybe. The monthly $500 cap on your top eligible 5 percent bonus category each billing can seriously stunt max earning potential for some people, so it works much better as a secondary card paired with a primary Citi card.
This card is best for: Frequent travelers with a taste for premium perks without the highest of premium costs.
This card is not a great choice for: People who don’t travel often, as most boosted reward rates are offered on travel purchases.
What makes this card unique? This card sets the stage for a middle-ground option in the luxury travel space with it’s $395 annual fee and alluring travel benefits.
Is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card worth it? Though it does offer many of the premium benefits offered by other luxury cards, the Venture X pares its offerings down to the most useful features, allowing cardholders to have top-tier travel experiences at a more affordable price tag.
This card is best for: Frequent travelers who want an easy way to earn rewards and multiple options for how they can use them.
This card is not a great choice for: Brand loyalists. A co-branded card could have higher rewards rates and offer perks unique to a particular airline or hotel chain.
What makes this card unique? You get a lot of flexibility when it comes to redeeming your Miles. Options that bring the highest value are booking travel through Capital One, redeeming Miles as statement credits for past travel expenses and transferring Miles to any of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
Is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card worth it? We say it is. The $95 annual fee is comparable to similar cards, but if you put a premium on flexibility, the array of options for redeeming miles makes this card worth it.
This card is best for: Someone with good credit looking for an exceptionally long balance transfer offer or lengthy introductory APR.
This card is not a great choice for: Someone looking for long-term value. The 21-month intro APR for balance transfers can save you a lot of money, but without a rewards system, the card loses its luster after the intro APR period ends.
What makes this card unique? The Citi Diamond Preferred Card’s introductory balance transfer offer is one of the longest available on the credit card market.
Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card worth it? For balance transfers, it definitely is. If your goal is to maximize the time you have to pay down a balance without racking up interest charges, the Citi Diamond Preferred has a top-tier offer.
This card is best for: Someone who wants the best of both worlds: a decent balance transfer intro APR offer and cash back rewards.
This card is not a great choice for: Anyone who may find it tedious to keep track of rotating bonus categories and enrollment dates.
What makes this card unique? You get the benefits of both a balance transfer card and a rotating-category rewards card in one. Plus, the Cashback Match program will double your reward earnings in the first year with the card.
Is the Discover it Balance Transfer worth it? As long as you want to save on interest while also earning cash back, this card is worth it. However, stay vigilant in paying off your balance transfer debt before taking full advantage of the cash back rewards.
This card is best for: College students interested in the chance to build a credit history and earn as they learn about rotating bonus categories.
This card is not a great choice for: Anyone who feels like their schedule is already full of reminders and boxes to check. You have to enroll in the bonus categories every quarter to earn 5 percent (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1 percent).
What makes this card unique? Most cash back cards, much less cards with this kind of earning potential, require not just a credit history but a good or excellent credit score, so its availability to students is noteworthy.
Is the Discover it Student Cash Back worth it? If you put in the effort to enroll in the bonus categories and target your spending—responsibly, of course—your cash back earnings could really make the grade.
This card is best for: People who are willing to put in the work. When the categories rotate, remember to activate — and then direct your spending toward the bonus categories to earn the 5 percent rate on up to $1,500 each quarter, followed by 1 percent.
This card is not a great choice for: People who want to earn cash back but prefer a low-maintenance way to do it. If that sounds like you, consider a flat-rate card that earns on all eligible purchases.
What makes this card unique? One of Discover’s trademark features is the first-year cash back match. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Is the Discover it Cash Back worth it? Absolutely. With its earning potential and the lack of an annual fee, it has considerable value. Activating the categories and adjusting your spending does require some effort on your part, though.
This card is best for: Families with lots of places to go and meals to prepare. The rewards rates on purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores are exceptional.
This card is not a great choice for: People who do their grocery shopping at superstores and wholesale clubs. Purchases that don’t fit Amex’s definition of U.S. supermarkets earn just 1 percent.
What makes this card unique? A complimentary ShopRunner membership offers free two-day shipping and free returns at more than 100 online stores (enrollment required).
Is the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express worth it? Yes. The card’s high-rate categories match up well in areas where busy families are likely to make a lot of purchases, and you won’t have to pay an annual fee.
This card is best for: People with fair credit looking for a no annual fee card that will help build creditworthiness.
This card is not a great choice for: People who may need to carry a balance over time because of the fairly high regular APR.
What makes this card unique? This card charges no annual fee and it’s possible for people with a credit score as low as 580 to be approved.
Is the Capital One Platinum Credit Card worth it? If you use the card to build your credit score at the same time, it can definitely be worth it. However, once your credit score hits the high-600s, you might find more value in a rewards-earning card for good credit.
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit
Best unsecured credit card with rewards
This card is best for: People with bad credit scores (300 to 670 FICO) who want a chance to right the ship while earning modest cash back on eligible purchases.
This card is not a great choice for: Anyone with a credit score below 500. You will have to pay an annual fee of $75 the first year, then $99 annually ($8.25 per month).
What makes this card unique? Not many unsecured cards for bad credit offer cash back programs, making this one a rare exception.
Is the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit worth it? It can be a worthwhile card, as long as you focus on responsible habits (like paying your bill on time and not carrying a balance) and look at earning cash back as a benefit, not a goal.
This card is best for: Anyone with no credit history who wants to start building credit while also earning modest rewards.
This card is not a great choice for: Anyone with a good or excellent credit score—you could find better cash back rewards rates with other credit cards.
What makes this card unique? You have the opportunity to periodically increase your cash back rate with on-time payments.
Is the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card worth it? People looking for a place to get started with creating responsible credit-building habits while also earning rewards will find a lot to love with this card.
A credit card, usually a plastic or metal card, is a payment method that offers a line of credit that lets you make purchases now while paying for them later. When you’re approved for a credit card, you get a credit limit that determines the maximum dollar amount you can borrow on your card. How do credit cards work? As you make purchases, your available credit decreases. When you pay your bill, your available credit increases.
With a credit card you have the option to carry a balance from month to month, meaning you can make a partial or minimum payment rather than paying your balance in full. The downside to carrying a balance is that you could face interest charges determined by your credit card’s APR, or annual percentage rate. Your credit card’s APR is effectively the cost of borrowing money. Remember, credit card interest is relevant only if you carry credit card debt from month to month, and it’s best to pay your balance on time and in full whenever possible.
Important credit card terms
Your understanding of certain credit card terms is going to be essential in helping you choose a credit card. The terms and phrases listed below should be top of mind when you begin shopping:
Interest rate: Interest is the fee a card issuer charges for extending a line of credit. Your interest rates will determine how much your card issuer charges you for carrying a credit card balance from month to month. Rates are influenced by your credit score.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): In the world of credit cards, your interest rate and your APR are interchangeable. Your credit card’s annual percentage rate is the interest you’re charged for carrying a balance on the credit card in a billing cycle. Learn how to calculate your card’s APR.
Credit limit: This is your credit card’s spending limit. It will vary based on your credit score. You’ll likely have different credit limits for different transactions. For example, your cash advance limit (if your credit card offers cash advances) will be lower than your credit limit for purchases. A transaction that is over the card’s limit will be declined.
Credit score: A credit score is the rating given to rank your level of creditworthiness, or the likelihood that you’ll repay your debt on time and in full. The three credit bureaus use the information they have on file about previous credit accounts and other information to calculate your credit score.
Credit card balance: Your credit card’s statement balance is the amount owed at the end of a billing cycle. This amount will include all unpaid transactions made on your credit card and any unpaid fees.
Why use a credit card?
You should use your credit card as a payment method whenever it makes sense. Credit cards are safer to carry than cash and offer consumers several protections against theft and fraud. Using your credit card wisely means avoiding debt, so you shouldn’t spend more on your credit card than what you can afford to pay at the end of each billing cycle. But when you spend on your credit card using only what you can afford, it’s a great way to build credit.
Avoiding fraud liability. If your debit card is used without your permission, the money is deducted from your account right away and is usually very difficult to get back—if you can get it back at all. By contrast, if your credit card is used for fraudulent activity you’re liable for no more than $50—$0 if your card was reported lost or stolen before any charges are made.
Rebuilding your credit. If you’re trying to improve your credit score, using a credit card responsibly is one of the best ways to go about it. On-time payments made on your account are reported to the three credit bureaus and positive credit behavior will boost your credit score over time. If you don’t have a credit profile to get a traditional credit card, secured credit cards offer a great alternative.
Resolving consumer issues. Paying with credit cards provides consumer protection when working with businesses. For example, if you hire a contractor to do renovations, but major issues in the final product arise after payment, you often have little recourse in getting refunded if you paid with a debit card or check. If you paid with a credit card, however, you can dispute the charges on your credit card and report the contractor to your issuer, which will withhold funds from the contractor.
Different types of credit cards
Credit card issuers offer different types of credit cards to meet a variety of consumer needs. Some cardholders tend to carry a balance from month to month, while others typically pay their card balances in full. The former type of cardholder would likely benefit from a card with a low ongoing APR, while the latter would do well with a card that earned rewards. The best credit card for you is going to vary depending on your unique needs. Here are the major types of credit cards:
Rewards credit cards. Rewards credit cards typically fall into three categories: travel rewards cards, cash back cards and general rewards cards. When you use a rewards card to make purchases, you’ll accumulate points or miles that you can use to redeem for travel purchases, merchandise or statement credits.
Balance transfer and zero-interest credit cards. Balance transfers move existing credit card balances to a different card (usually with a fee) with a 0 percent APR period to help you save money on interest. Zero-interest cards usually have promotional 0 percent APR periods and are good for making large purchases to pay off over time.
Credit cards for repairing or establishing credit. Some cards are designed specifically for people just starting out on their credit-building journeys. A college student with limited income and limited credit history could be best served by a student card. A secured credit card requires a security deposit to open an account and will give people with poor credit access to the credit-building benefits of a traditional credit card.
What’s the best credit card for you?
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all credit card, and the sheer number of options can make it difficult to choose a credit card that’s best for your unique situation. When looking for a starting point in finding a card that could work best for you, it’s good to consider a card that matches your spending habits. Today’s credit cards cover a lot of territory for different types of consumers with different financial goals, including:
You can earn cash back on everyday purchases, and more, with a cash back credit card. While some cards earn a fixed percentage on every eligible purchase, others offer tiered categories with higher rates tailored to specialty areas such as:
Seasonal shoppers whose spending habits change with the calendar might benefit from a rotating category card. This type of card earns bonus cash back rates on certain types of purchases at three-month intervals throughout the year.
If you want to earn miles and points to help offset the cost of travel, a travel rewards card should probably be at the top of your list.
Travel credit cards feature perks and benefits specifically designed to make the journey easier and more affordable, including:
Access to private airport lounges
Free hotel upgrades, when available
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credits
Trip cancellation insurance
Many travel cards earn rewards on airfare, hotels and other expenses, no matter how you fly or where you stay. However, your options also include co-branded cards geared toward travelers loyal to particular airlines or hotel chains.
Business credit cards can benefit people who own or operate small businesses in a number of ways.
With a cash back card for business, you can earn a flat percentage on general purchases or a higher rate on specialty categories such as office supplies. A business travel card that earns miles or points can help you reduce your costs for airfare, hotel stays and transit.
Like travel cards, many business rewards cards also offer specialized features and benefits such as:
You can use a balance transfer credit card to move debt from an existing credit account to the new card and, ideally, pay off the transferred debt at a lower interest rate. The best credit cards for balance transfers offer an introductory period of 0% APR that lets you temporarily avoid paying any interest.
Cards with zero-interest offers on purchases also provide a temporary window of 0% APR, making them useful for large purchases that would be difficult to pay off in a single billing cycle. Once the intro period ends, however, the APR will change to the card’s regular variable range.
Another possible option is a low-interest credit card that has a regular APR range a few points below average.
Used responsibly, the right cards can help you establish a credit history and improve your credit score — all while providing a convenient and secure method of payment for all kinds of expenses. Many issuers offer credit cards for people who have less than perfect credit scores or no credit history at all. Categories for credit-builders include:
You’ll find some overlap between the no-credit-history category and the student category, since many students lack a true credit history before getting their first card. A number of student cards don’t require a credit history or a good credit score to apply.
So-called starter credit cards usually fall into one of the two categories mentioned above. Another category where people will seek out starter cards is those who have developed a credit history without using credit cards, possibly through repaying a loan or keeping up with utility bills.
The categories of bad credit and secured cards also overlap to an extent. A secured card requires an upfront deposit, which will then serve as your credit limit. Deposits are refundable over time as long as you’ve established a good record of on-time payments. By providing the deposit, a consumer with bad credit is essentially putting up collateral so that the issuer faces less risk in issuing the secured card.
A young adult can get a head-start on life’s financial journey with a student credit card. The best credit cards for students have features tailored to this specific type of consumer, including:
Relaxed credit requirements. You might not need a good or excellent credit score (or even a credit history at all) to qualify.
Features designed for you. To cite just one example, how about an annual statement credit that rewards you for maintaining a high GPA?
Less emphasis on annual fees. For someone who doesn’t yet have a career or annual income, a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee makes a lot of sense.
Bankrate Insights
In response to travel restrictions and lifestyle changes throughout the pandemic, many credit card issuers updated their rewards programs—think added bonus categories and short-term perks. As travel returns, be on the lookout for new opportunities that can increase your rewards value.
How to make the most of your credit card
Your credit card can be a major help or a hindrance to your financial health, depending on how you use it. To make the most of your credit card, follow a few guidelines:
Pay your bills on time: Generally speaking, the credit card payments you make are reported to the three credit bureaus. While late payments negatively impact your credit score, consistent on-time payments have the opposite effect. Making your credit card payments on-time each month is one way to ensure you’re improving your credit score over time.
Pay your balance in full: Avoid charging more on your credit card than you can pay back at the end of your billing cycle. This will help you avoid interest charges. Paying your balance in full also helps keep your credit utilization ratio low, which is another credit score booster. If you’ve planned on using a credit card to make a large purchase and carry a balance over time, it’s best to do so on a 0 percent intro APR card.
Use your card’s perks: Do you know all the perks and benefits available to you through your credit card? Sign-up bonuses, cash back rewards, and airline miles are just a few of the perks that come with certain cards. It’s important to be well-versed in the specific benefits of your credit card, so you’re able to take advantage of them.
Know your credit card’s drawbacks: Understanding what your credit card’s potential drawbacks can go a long way toward helping you avoid them. Be sure you’re aware of things like your card’s interest rates and fees upfront so you can plan on how you’ll deal with them if you need to.
Factors to consider before applying for a credit card
Choosing the best credit card all comes down to which card is going to provide you with the most value. That answer will change based on your financial situation, spending habits and more. Think about these questions when a credit card offer catches your eye:
What’s my credit score?
The better your credit score, the more likely you’ll qualify for a credit card with excellent perks and terms. You can review your credit report by requesting a free copy from AnnualCreditReport.com and there are a variety of ways to check your credit scores for free. If your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, work on improving your credit.
Do I plan to carry a balance?
It’s best practice to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid paying interest. However, if you do expect to carry purchases from time to time, you’ll likely want to opt for a low interest credit card. Low interest credit cards tout APRs that are lower than the current industry average. As of Dec. 15, 2021, Bankrate estimates the average credit card interest rate at 16.32 percent variable.
If you’re in the habit of paying your balances in full, you’re positioned to take advantage of a rewards credit card. These cards tend to carry higher APRs but generally offer a return on spending, plus certain ancillary benefits and protections.
Am I looking to pay off existing credit card debt or a large purchase?
If so, you’ll probably want to consider a 0 percent introductory APR credit card, which lets you avoid interest on purchases or balance transfers (or both) for a certain period of time (usually 12 to 21 months). Bonus: Some of these cards do tout rewards and hold value in the long term.
What are my current spending habits?
If your spending is concentrated in a certain area, look for a card that offers solid rewards in that category. For instance, if you spend a lot on groceries, look for a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at grocery stores. Alternatively, if you travel frequently, consider a card that offers miles. If you don’t spend a lot in one particular category, consider a flat-rate cash back credit card.
Can I qualify for a sign-up bonus?
Many credit card offers involve a sign-up bonus for new cardholders, sometimes called a welcome offer. The typical sign-up bonus is an offer of cash back, rewards points or travel miles that you earn by spending a certain amount of money within the specified timeframe after opening the account, usually three months. If you can hit a card’s required spend without taking on debt, you should consider a card with a welcome offer. See the best credit card sign-up bonuses currently on the market.
Avoiding credit card pitfalls
There are numerous advantages to owning a credit card. You can improve your credit score with proper use over time, earn lucrative rewards and protect yourself from fraud. There are also important drawbacks to be aware of when obtaining a credit card. Some potential pitfalls to avoid include:
Damaging your credit: Your credit card issuer reports your payments activity and credit card balances to the three credit bureaus each month. While keeping your credit utilization low and making on-time payments consistently can help improve your credit score over time, doing the opposite will certainly harm your credit score.
Incurring debt: If you spend more on your credit card than you can afford to pay before the end of each billing cycle, you will incur debt. Interest rates on credit cards can be expensive, and if you consistently carry large balances on your credit card interest payments can pile on fast.
Fees: Even the best credit cards often come with a variety of fees. Balance transfer fees, annual fees, late fees and more. You can avoid many of these fees with responsible and strategic credit card use. For example there are many cards that allow cardholders to skip annual fees.
Managing credit card debt
Credit cards are a great financial tool if you can successfully avoid any pitfalls. If despite your best efforts to follow the tips above, you find yourself having to address significant credit card debt, there are strategies you can use to help you pay down your credit card debt.
Build an emergency fund. If you have debt, a sure way to prevent incurring more in the future is by building up an emergency fund. Most personal finance experts recommend starting with a savings goal of three to six months of living expenses. An emergency fund helps protect you from going further into credit card debt when the unexpected—like job loss, emergency home or auto repair or unexpected medical expenses—happens.
Create and stick to a budget. Failing to create a monthly budget is a recipe for growing credit card debt. A budget helps you avoid making purchases on your credit cards that you can’t afford and will help you successfully allocate money to pay down your existing credit card debt.
Get help. There are resources available to help you with your credit card debt if it becomes overwhelming. Credit counseling exists to help you learn to manage your finances and provide other resources.
How to apply for a credit card and get approved
Know your score
Before you start filling out applications, or even shopping around, you should find out your current credit score.
Knowing your credit score will give you a better idea of:
The cards you’re most likely to qualify for. On Bankrate.com, for example, each card offered by our partners has a Recommended Credit Score that you can use as a guideline.
The APR you might be offered. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get a lower APR.
You can check your credit score through any of the major credit bureaus, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), or possibly through your bank.
Improve your credit score
Most premium credit cards require a good-to-excellent credit score. Based on the FICO scoring model, a good-to-excellent score will fall in the range of 670 to 850. Improving your credit score increases your chances of meeting credit issuer requirements’ and securing the card you want.
You can increase your credit score by demonstrating good credit behavior over time. Secured credit cards are a great option for people with negative credit histories or no credit histories at all. Cardholders can boost their scores with responsible use and get started with deposits as small as $49, making the cards a low-cost credit-building option.
What you need for a credit card application
The obvious blanks you’ll need to fill include:
Name
Date of birth
Address
Social Security number
You should also be ready to provide additional information such as:
With a pre-qualified credit card offer, you can get an idea of your chances for approval without submitting an application that will trigger a hard credit inquiry.
This kind of offer has two benefits. One is the convenience of finding out how likely you are to be approved for the card, and the other is the lack of a hard credit check. Each hard credit check will temporarily knock your credit score down a few points. The pre-qualification process involves a soft credit check, so pre-qualified offers could help you avoid minor, short-term dings to your credit score as you shop for the right card.
One way to find and compare offers is by using tools like CardMatch™. The CardMatch feature is designed to show you personalized offers from our partners that match up with your credit profile. Based on your information, you may receive special offers and pre-qualified matches. Be aware that a pre-qualified match is still not a guarantee of approval.
How we choose Bankrate's best credit cards
Bankrate currently has expert reviews for more than 200 credit cards, which are rated using a 5-star scoring system. The most important factors we use to determine which cards appear on this page include:
APRs
Affordable interest rates are essential to great credit card offers. If you ever need to carry over part of your balance from one month to another, which we advise against if at all possible, a lower APR should reduce the amount of interest you're charged.
Rewards programs
Top programs for earning cash back, points or miles offer generous rewards rates and flexible redemption options. Some reward programs also include discounts and online shopping portals.
Introductory 0% APR offers
A zero-percent APR offer — essentially a temporary reprieve from interest — could make it much less expensive to pay off a big purchase or a balance transfer. The best offers last anywhere from 12 months to 20 months before the regular APR applies.
Fees
A low cost of ownership is another key element of the best credit cards. The total burden of fees should be low. If a card does charge an annual fee, it should also offer rewards and benefits that can help offset that cost.
User-focused value
Auto-pay options, credit-building tools, fraud protection, insurance … these and other benefits help make a credit card useful, valuable and worth having.
Essential reading for credit card users
If you’re looking for more information on how credit cards can help you reach your financial goals, check out some of our top resource articles:
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although no single card is best for everyone, there's a strong case to be made for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. An exceptional rewards program, generous perks and overall value helped this card earn a 4.5/5 rating from Bankrate's scoring system, even with a $550 annual fee.
In addition to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, other highly rated cards include:
Cash back: Discover it Cash Back (4.2/5) and Chase Freedom Unlimited (4.6/5)
Travel: The Platinum Card from American Express (4.3/5) and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (4.3/5)
Business: American Express Business Gold Card (4.4/5)
Student/No credit history: Discover it Student Cash Back (4.1/5) and Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card (4.0/5)
Bad credit: Discover it Secured Credit Card (4.0/5)
Quality credit cards aren't exclusive to people with excellent credit scores. Many credit cards for good credit are realistically within reach for someone with a 670 FICO Score, and the field isn't limited to no-frills cards. Depending on your credit score, annual income and other factors, you could qualify for a cash back, travel or rewards credit card that offers solid value and benefits.
Although Experian estimates that the average American has four cards, the number of credit cards you should have depends entirely on your unique situation.
Having multiple cards is fine as long as it conclusively delivers benefits that you can use (miles, cash back, perks and so on). Just beware of burdening yourself with annual fees and hurting your credit score with excessive applications.
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, when the lender pulls your credit report to make a decision about whether to lend to you.
A “soft” inquiry, 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.
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 at 18. 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.
Former Senior Editor Barry Bridges has been writing about credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other personal finance products since 2017. Before joining Bankrate, he was an award-winning newspaper journalist in his native North Carolina.
Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance.
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
Advertiser Disclosure
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
