In The News Today: Affirm announces new debit card that blurs the lines with credit
Affirm just announced the first debit card to directly incorporate a pay-over-time option, blurring the lines between debit and credit. The waitlist is open now, and broad availability is expected later this year. Learn how it works and what to expect in the full article by credit card expert, Ted Rossman.
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 responsibly. 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 in the right direction.
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.
In this guide:
How do credit cards work?
A credit card is a payment method that serves as a line of credit and lets you make purchases now while paying for them later. Unlike cash, you don’t pay upfront. Unlike checks or debit cards, you don’t pay with money that you’ve already deposited into an account.
When you’re approved for a credit card, you get a credit limit, which is the maximum dollar amount you can borrow on your card. As you make purchases, your available credit decreases. Then, when you pay your bill, your available credit increases. For example, if you spent $500 on your credit card with a $2,000 limit, your available credit would become $1,500. Then, when you pay off that $500, your available credit would return to $2,000.
With a credit card, you have the option to carry a balance from month to month. That is, you can make the minimum payment, rather than paying your balance in full. Carrying a balance allows the freedom of spreading out payments over time, but you will incur interest charges.
Physically, credit cards are flat, thin pieces of plastic or metal that can be scanned by electronic readers. You can also use them for digital transactions by entering your account number and other identifying information into an online portal.
Credit cards are typically issued by banks and financial services companies. According to the American Bankers Association, the number of open credit card accounts in the United States has reached an estimated 370 million.
Is now a good time to get a credit card?
Economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused some significant developments in credit cards last year. Many issuers even began offering assistance programs that included payment relief and deferred interest charges.
Given the economic volatility of the past year, you have good reason to wonder if now is a good time to get a credit card. Although credit card predictions for 2021 paint a somewhat optimistic picture, here are three things to keep in mind:
Your credit score
As many credit card issuers tightened their approval standards in 2020, the quality of credit scores took on added importance. If you have a FICO Score below 670, you might have trouble qualifying for some credit cards. Work on improving your credit score before opening any new credit accounts.
Your debt situation
Although credit card balances went down by a combined $76 billion nationwide in the second quarter of 2020, balances on other types of debt — such as auto loans and student loans — showed increases. If you’re dealing with a lot of high-interest debt, on a credit card or any other type of credit account, do as much as you can to pay it down.
Finding a card that matches your spending habits
A number of credit card issuers have updated their rewards programs with more opportunities to earn cash back, miles or points on everyday purchases such as gas and groceries. These changes potentially increase the value you could get out of a card even if your current lifestyle is more smart-shopping homebody than big-spending world traveler.
The matter of whether now is a good time to get a credit card ultimately comes down to your personal financial situation and the choice of cards available to you. Before you start shopping for a new card, take the time to evaluate your credit score and current debt. If your finances are in good shape, then you can try to find a card that matches up with your spending habits and goals.
Should I get a credit card?
Credit cards’ role in the transition to a so-called “cashless society” is evident in the number of chip readers, online payment portals and digital wallet interfaces most of us encounter every day. A Bankrate.com survey found that that owners of rewards credit cards who don’t carry a balance from month to month paid for these purchases with their cards a lot more often than with cash or a debit card:
| Type of purchase |
Paid with rewards credit card |
Paid with cash or debit card |
| Groceries |
56% |
44% |
| Restaurants |
57% |
43% |
| Gas |
63% |
37% |
| Airfare |
85% |
15% |
| Hotel |
84% |
16% |
Technology has made using credit much more convenient than in the past, and credit cards also feature built-in incentives such as:
- Rewards programs that earn cash back, travel discounts and more
- Security features that reduce your vulnerability to fraudulent charges
- Tools that help you build or repair your credit
So, should you get a credit card? The answer depends on your personal financial situation, your financial goals and other factors.
Do you need to build up your credit profile? Do you have responsible spending habits? Is the card for personal use or for your business? Do you want to earn rewards that will help you maximize the value of your spending? These are some of the questions you should answer as you compare the best credit card offers.
When credit cards are used responsibly and to their full potential, they can provide convenience and value you don’t get with other payment methods. To reap these benefits, you’ll first need to choose the right card and then use it the right way.
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. Fortunately, you can cut through the clutter by using one of two methods:
- Choosing a credit card by category
- Choosing a credit card by credit score
If you want to take your search one level deeper, you can also factor in comparing the best credit card offers.
Generally speaking, the category method is well-suited for people with a solid credit history and a specific goal in mind: earning cash back, collecting points or miles to reduce the cost of travel and so on.
The credit score might work well for two types of people: one, those who are focused on building their credit history or improving their credit score; and two, those who already have a good or excellent credit score and would like to upgrade from their current card and possibly qualify for a lower annual percentage rate (annual percentage rate).
Choosing a credit card by category
If you’re choosing a card according to category, you’re probably interested in a card with a rewards program that matches your spending habits. Today’s credit cards cover a lot of territory for different types of consumers, including:
The budget-minded shopper
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.
The frequent traveler
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
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credits
- Baggage 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.
The small business owner
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:
- Higher credit limits than consumer cards
- Tools to help you manage expenses
- Free additional cards for employees
The debt manager
Two types of credit card features specifically address debt and interest: balance transfers and introductory zero-interest offers on purchases.
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.
The credit-builder
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.
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.
The student
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.
Choosing a credit card by credit score
Your credit score helps determine your qualifications for credit cards and other types of loans. Although scores can vary by credit bureau, credit card issuers and online marketplaces commonly use recommended credit scores to help consumers get an idea of which cards they might qualify for.
For example, each credit card available through Bankrate.com has a recommended credit score, with the range of scores defined as:
A fifth category, No Credit History, covers credit cards for students and others who have little or no experience in using credit.
Check your score before you begin
Checking your credit score can be surprisingly easy, and it might not even cost you anything. Your options include:
- The three major U.S. credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
- The Fair Isaac Corporation, creator of the FICO score
- Your bank or credit union
- Credit card issuers, through the FICO Score Open Access program
Knowing your score will give you a better idea of which cards are within your reach, credit-wise.
Focus on your goals as a user of credit
If you choose a card according to your credit score, it’s helpful to keep some objectives in mind.
- No credit history — To establish your credit profile
- Bad credit or fair credit — To improve your credit score
- Good credit or excellent credit — To take advantage of rewards programs and lower APRs as you responsibly maintain your credit score
Even if you already have good credit, achieving an excellent credit score is a worthwhile pursuit. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to receive favorable terms on any kind of credit application — from cards to car loans to mortgages.
Learn more: How to get an 800 credit score
How to choose the best credit card offer
A credit card offer is an incentive to get a new card, or in some cases for current cardholders to stay loyal.
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 3 months.
Other types of credit card offers include:
- Earning a bonus rewards rate during your first year as a cardholder
- Discounts or statement credits on purchases from specific merchants
- A waiver of the card’s annual fee for the first year
Although sign-up bonuses are exclusive to new cardholders, issuers sometimes add benefits that current cardholders are eligible for. When parts of the country began facing travel restrictions, several issuers updated their rewards programs to reflect the fact that many travelers had become homebodies.
Choosing a credit card by the best offer is similar to choosing a card by the type of consumer you are. You’ll need to determine whether the sign-up bonus, discounts or other incentives match up well with your spending habits and your goal for getting the card in the first place. For example, choosing a card with a large travel miles bonus doesn’t make much sense unless you’re a frequent traveler or you have a specific plan to use the bonus for a long-anticipated trip.
A look at some of today’s best credit card offers
New cardholders of the Chase Freedom Flex℠, launched in late 2020, and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are also eligible for a sign-up bonus of $200 after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening. The bonus was previously $150.
In the travel cards category, Capital One is currently offering a great sign-up bonus. New cardholders of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can earn 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel.
Elsewhere in travel cards, Chase has added grocery store purchases as a limited-time rewards category for new and existing Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders. The offer ends April 30, 2021.
Meanwhile, American Express has announced limited-time welcome offers on three of its cards.
Consumers who apply for the American Express® Gold Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express on Resy.com are eligible for new welcome offers. The Gold card offer is 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months. The welcome offer for the Platinum card is 75,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months. New owners of the Platinum card also earn 10X Membership Rewards points at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets on the first $15,000 in combined spending during their first 6 months of Card Membership.
In addition, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has a new welcome offer: Earn $200 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
CardSmart: What is a recommended credit score?
Credit cards available through Bankrate.com and other websites typically have a range of credit scores suggested by the card issuer. On Bankrate, a Recommended Credit Score appears with each card review and on the “best of” category pages.
Keep in mind that your credit score alone doesn’t determine whether you’ll qualify for a particular card. Although the recommended credit score can give you a better idea of your chances for qualifying, every situation (like every applicant) is unique.
If you see a card you’re interested in, make sure that your credit score falls within the range listed in the card’s recommended credit score before applying. While you can’t know your exact odds of being approved for any credit card, your chances are obviously higher with a higher credit score.
A majority of U.S. consumers have good credit scores, with the average FICO Score at 710 and the average VantageScore at 688.
| What are the credit score ranges? |
How many consumers are in them? |
| 300 – 579 – Poor |
16% |
| 580 – 669 – Fair |
17% |
| 670 – 799 – Good |
46% |
| 800 – 850 – Excellent |
21% |
Source: Experian
Taking time to check that your score matches the card’s recommended score will help ensure that you have an easier time finding the right card for you.
Learn more with Bankrate
How to apply for a credit card and get approved
Although online applications are increasingly common, you might find yourself replying to an offer you receive in the mail or in person at your bank. Whether you apply in person or online, you’ll need to remember a few tips for how to apply for a credit card.
Check your credit 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:
- Which 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.
Have your information ready
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:
- Annual income
- Monthly rent or mortgage payments
- Current bank accounts
Look for pre-qualified offers
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 pre-qualified offers is by using tools like CardMatch™. The CardMatch feature is designed to show you the best credit card offers from our partners that you’re pre-qualified for. Results of your CardMatch search provide a summary of individual card offers and links to apply on the issuer’s secure website.
How long does it take to get a credit card?
The response time to your application will depend on several factors, including:
- With online applications, it could take as little as a few minutes or as long as several business days to find out (business days normally being Monday through Friday)
- If you apply by mail, the issuer’s mailed response could take a week or more
- The process will take longer if you incorrectly fill out your application form or the issuer needs more information
The worst-case scenario is 30 days. Federal regulations require that once your application is complete, the issuer has 30 days to notify you of approval or denial.
| Card |
Best for |
| Discover it® Cash Back |
Rewards |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card |
Balance transfer |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Cash back |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
Intro Zero Interest |
| Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card |
No annual fee |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
Travel |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back |
Student |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Excellent Credit |
| Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards |
Good credit |
| Capital One Platinum Credit Card |
Fair credit |
| Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® for Rebuilding Credit |
Bad credit |
| Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students |
No credit history |
How we choose Bankrate’s best credit cards
Credit cards available from our partners are evaluated using a 5-star scoring system. The most important factors in determining the score for our top picks include:
APR
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 several months, a year or even longer 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.
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:
