Rewards credit cards typically fall into two main categories: travel cards and cash back cards. Cash back cards earn back a percentage of your spending, while travel cards earn points or miles you can redeem for travel, merchandise, statement credits or more, depending on the card. Some rewards cards are also designed for earning or redeeming rewards in particular categories. For example, co-branded airline or hotel cards may be designed primarily for earning or redeeming rewards on flights or hotel bookings. Cash back cards You can earn cash back on everyday purchases and more with a cash back credit card. While some cards earn a fixed percentage back on every eligible purchase, others offer tiered categories with higher rates in specific spending categories like: Groceries Dining and entertainment Gasoline, ridesharing and transit Deal hunters and seasonal shoppers whose spending habits vary over the course of the year might benefit from a rotating category card. This type of card earns bonus cash back in many different categories, with your options typically changing every three months. Cash back cards are a good fit for: Household shoppers — Budget-minded spenders who spend mostly on groceries, gas, dining and other everyday categories may get the best value from cash back cards. Simplicity seekers — If you prefer streamlined redemption, minimal annual fees and just one or two cards you can use for all spending, then cash back cards are a good bet. Staycation-ers and infrequent travelers — Cash back cards may offer the best rewards potential if you don’t plan on earning rewards toward future trips. Travel cards 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. Along with earning rewards on your spending, travel credit cards also tend to feature perks and benefits specifically designed to make the journey easier and more affordable, including: Access to private airport lounges Free hotel upgrades Travel credits toward expenses like airfare, hotel stays and airport screening services Travel protections like trip cancellation and baggage delay insurance Many general travel cards earn rewards on airfare, hotels and other expenses, no matter how you fly or where you stay. Meanwhile, co-branded cards are geared toward travelers who frequently book with particular airlines or hotel chains. Travel cards are a good fit for: Flexibility-focused travelers — If you care more about earning and redeeming rewards than traveling in style and want to choose whichever airline or hotel offers the best deal, you’ll likely prefer a general-purpose travel card. Road warriors — Road trippers and weekend adventurers could save on accommodations and future trips thanks to several travel cards’ lodging, dining, entertainment and rental car rewards. Savvy shoppers — Some travel card points are more valuable than cash back. Strategic spenders looking to maximize reward value on each dollar spent will likely find travel cards’ broad category coverage, pairing opportunities and transfer partners help them squeeze the most mileage from their rewards. Airline cards Frequent flyers will certainly find an airline credit card useful, especially if they’re looking for a smoother airport experience and in-flight savings. General travel cards may offer complimentary or discounted airport lounge access and credits toward expedited security services — like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or CLEAR — but airline cards go a step further. For example, airline cards typically provide a discount on in-flight purchases (like food, beverages and Wi-Fi), priority boarding and free checked baggage. Higher-tier airline cards may also provide an easier path to elite loyalty status or brand-specific lounge perks. On the other hand, it’s important to consider how much an airline card would restrict your rewards and benefits to a certain brand. If you prioritize the destination over the journey and don’t mind which airline carrier gets you there, then a general travel card’s flexibility may be a better fit. Airline cards are a good fit for: Loyal jet-setters — Naturally, an airline card would be a rewarding pick if you prefer to fly with a specific carrier. Travel card strategists — If you don’t mind holding multiple cards to maximize your travel rewards, a co-branded airline card may be worthwhile. Hotel cards You may benefit most from a hotel credit card if you’re a regular guest with a specific brand’s properties. Along with earning more points on reservations and other on-property purchases at the hotel, you can typically squeeze value from the card’s hotel-oriented perks — which sometimes deliver even more value than the card’s rewards. These features can include complimentary free nights, annual credits for hotel purchases or stays, room upgrades, automatic elite status or privileges like flexible check-in and free Wi-Fi. However, perks of this caliber mean that hotel cards often carry an annual fee. Because these co-branded cards’ reward redemptions and benefits are usually limited to certain hotel chains and don’t translate to other forms of travel like general-purpose travel cards’ features would, it’s important to weigh whether you stay with certain brands often enough to reap full value from a premium hotel card. Hotel cards are a good fit for: Loyal guests — Similar to airline cards, co-branded hotel cards could be especially valuable if you often stay with a particular chain. Weekend warriors — Cardholders that regularly go on weekend trips and already have their stay in mind could benefit from a hotel card.

0% APR and balance transfer cards

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 percent APR that lets you temporarily avoid paying any interest. This makes it easier to pay off debt since more of your payment is going toward your principal balance, not interest charges. Cards with zero-interest introductory periods on purchases also provide a temporary window of 0 percent 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. 0% APR and balance transfer cards are a good fit for: Debt-settlers — If you have a snowballing balance you can’t seem to shake, a balance transfer card may give you enough breathing room to finally pay off your revolving debt. Balance managers — If you’re having a hard time tracking interest charges across multiple cards, you can use a zero-interest card to consolidate your balances onto one card while also avoiding interest. Big purchase planners — If you have large expenses around the corner, you can use a card with a strong 0 percent intro APR on purchases to keep interest at bay as you chip away at the cost. Learn more: According to industry expert Ted Rossman, balance transfer offers have gotten even more generous in recent months, despite the Federal Reserve’s series of interest rate hikes. Read the full story on how balance transfer competition is heating up and learn how to take advantage of these offers.

Another possible option is a low-interest credit card that has a lower-than-average ongoing APR. Cards with lower interest rates are helpful for cardholders who anticipate needing to carry a balance. Keep in mind that interest rates are much higher than rewards rates, so any rewards you earn can be eclipsed by interest charges if you carry a balance. For example, our minimum payment calculator shows that you could accrue over $24 in interest on a $200 purchase if you only made a $15 minimum payment each month for 15 months (minimum payment based on an 18 percent interest rate plus 1 percent of the balance). Even if you earned 6 percent cash back, you’d owe twice as much in interest as you earned in rewards. Low-interest cards are a good fit for: First-time cardholders — If you’re new to credit, a low-interest card is handy in case you miss a payment date while getting the hang of your credit card. Emergency expense planners — If you think there’s a chance you may need to carry a balance once in a while, a low-interest card can minimize the impact.

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 also help you reduce your costs for airfare, hotel stays and transit. Like travel cards, many business rewards cards also offer specialized features and benefits, including higher credit limits than consumer cards, tools to help you manage expenses, free cards for employees and business-related rewards categories, such as shipping, advertising or office supply store purchases Business cards are a good fit for: Small-business owners — Naturally, small-business owners can take leverage a business card’s unique advantages, including additional employee cards, expense tracking and business-oriented bonus categories not found on personal cards. If you have a startup, a low-interest business card can also help you take on its costs and build your business’ credit score. Side hustlers — Even if you have a small online store, dog walking or ridesharing side business, you can use a business card to earn rewards, access expense management tools and keep your business spending separate from your personal spending. Business travelers — Many of the top-tier business cards hone in on travel perks and rewards, and frequent business travelers can put these cards’ features to good use. These can include airport lounge access, expedited security screening service discounts and annual travel credits.

A young adult can get a head-start on life’s financial journey with a student credit card, which is typically more desirable than other credit-building cards. The best credit cards for students are typically unsecured (no security deposit required) and offer better rewards rates, lower fees and features tailored to students’ financial needs, including: Relaxed credit requirements — You might not need a good or excellent credit score (or even a credit history at all) to qualify for a student card. In fact, some cards for international students don’t even require a Social Security number. Student-oriented benefits — Some student cards offer perks that are especially useful if you’re in college, like statement credits for Amazon Prime Student, streaming services or other common subscriptions. More lenient fees — For students who don’t have a high income or much credit experience, a card with minimal fees can provide some peace of mind. Annual fees, foreign transaction fees and penalty APRs are less common among student cards, and some issuers even waive your first late payment fee. Student cards are a good fit for: Students — Unlike secured cards and other credit-building options for people with limited credit, student credit cards are only available to students. Student cards’ lenient rates and fees, $0 deposit requirement, student-oriented perks and rewards make them perhaps the best cards available if you want to build a credit history.

Credit-building cards

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. Many issuers offer credit cards for people who have less-than-perfect credit scores or no credit history at all. Secured cards A secured credit card is the most accessible credit card option available if you have a “bad” to “fair” credit score (typically a FICO score of 669 or lower, or a VantageScore of 660 or lower). If you don’t have a credit history, limited credit, or a bad credit score, then a secured card will probably provide you with the best rates and features. In exchange for a refundable security deposit (typically starting at $200, which you’ll get back after you upgrade or close your card account), issuers provide you a matching credit limit that allows you to work on building credit. Since you can essentially set your own credit limit based on your security deposit, putting down a large deposit on a secured card can make it much easier to keep your credit utilization ratio — a key credit scoring factor — in check. There are a few credit cards designed for limited credit that don’t require a security deposit, but non-students may find that secured cards generally offer stronger perks. In fact, several issuers provide secured cards with rewards rates identical to their full-fledged counterparts, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card* or Discover it Secured card. Secured cards are a good fit for: Credit-builders with bad credit or no credit history — If you have money for a security deposit, a secured card could be the most cost-effective, rewarding and expedient card option to build or repair your credit. *The information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Unsecured cards for fair credit or bad credit If you don’t have the flexibility to tie up a large security deposit for several months, unsecured credit cards for bad credit are another means of building credit. The quality of the unsecured cards you can qualify for will be a bit higher if you have at least a fair credit score, but it’s important to carefully read each card’s terms and conditions. That’s because unsecured credit-building cards tend to charge much higher rates and fees, with some of these cards’ terms being borderline predatory. Decent unsecured cards designed for subprime credit do exist, but a secured card may be a more cost-effective option in the long run if you’re building credit. Unsecured cards for bad or fair credit are a good fit for: Credit-builders avoiding a security deposit — Unsecured cards available with limited credit are a bit harder to find, and the rates and fees may be steeper than rival secured cards’ terms, but they’re an option if you don’t have the liquidity for a security deposit. Credit-builders with fair credit — Since you’ll be seen as a lower risk than someone with bad credit, having fair credit can get you access to unsecured credit-building cards that are a bit more rewarding than secured alternatives.

Best Credit Cards and Top Offers of January 2023

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Updated January 27, 2023

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 of 2023 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.

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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 and how we rate our cards .

Best credit cards of 2023

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for cash back

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for rewards

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for balance transfers

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for zero interest

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for businesses

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for excellent credit

Citi Premier® Card: Best for good credit

Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best for fair credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for no credit history

Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for students

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for bad credit
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 your credit score?

The better your credit score, the better your chance of qualifying for a credit card with excellent perks and terms. You can review your credit report by requesting a free copy from AnnualCreditReport.com and check your credit scores for free through your issuer or a credit bureau. If your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, work on improving your credit.

Do you plan to carry a balance?

It’s best to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid paying interest, but a low-interest credit card may be wise if you expect to carry a balance from time to time. Low-interest cards tout APRs that are lower than the average credit card interest rate, which is 19.85 percent as of Jan. 11.

Are you looking to pay off debt or a large purchase?

If so, you’ll probably want to consider a 0 percent introductory APR credit card, which can help you avoid interest on purchases and/or balance transfers, typically for 12 to 21 months. However, cards with long intro APR periods often lack rewards and long-term value. Depending on how much time you need to pay off your balance, a no-annual-fee rewards card with a shorter intro APR may be a better choice long term.

What are your spending habits?

If your spending is concentrated in a certain area, look for a card that earns rewards at a high rate in that category. For example, if you spend a lot on groceries, look for a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at grocery stores. Alternatively, consider a card that offers miles if you travel frequently. If you don’t spend a lot in one particular category, consider a card that earns rewards at a flat rate on all purchases.

Can you earn a sign-up bonus?

Many credit cards carry a sign-up bonus for new cardholders. The typical sign-up bonus offers cash back, points or miles after you spend a certain amount of money within a specified timeframe, usually within your first three months as a cardholder.

Still unsure which credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool, which offers personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score and spending habits.

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Best Credit Cards and Top Offers of January 2023

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See Summary

Best credit cards of 2023

How to choose a credit card

What’s your credit score?

Do you plan to carry a balance?

Are you looking to pay off debt or a large purchase?

What are your spending habits?

Can you earn a sign-up bonus?

Best Cash Back Cards

Best for 2% cash rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Best for 2% cash rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Additional features

Best for category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

Best for category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

Additional features

Best Rewards Credit Cards

Best for dining and entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for dining and entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Additional features

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Additional features

Best Balance Transfer Cards

Best for long intro APR

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Best for long intro APR

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Additional features

BEST FOR BALANCE TRANSFERS AND CASH BACK

Discover it® Balance Transfer

BEST FOR BALANCE TRANSFERS AND CASH BACK

Discover it® Balance Transfer

Additional features

Best 0% Intro APR Cards

Best for balance transfers with excellent credit

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Best for balance transfers with excellent credit

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Additional features

Best for long-term value

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for long-term value

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Additional features

Best No Annual Fee Cards

Best starter rewards card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best starter rewards card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Additional features

BEST FOR GAS AND TRANSIT

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

BEST FOR GAS AND TRANSIT

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Additional features

Best Travel Cards

BEST FOR NO-FRILLS BENEFITS

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

BEST FOR NO-FRILLS BENEFITS

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Additional features

Best for flexible redemption options

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for flexible redemption options

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Additional features

Best Business Credit Cards

BEST BUSINESS SIGN-UP BONUS

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

BEST BUSINESS SIGN-UP BONUS