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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 2022 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
5x
5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
3x
3x on dining.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Intro offer
60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
17.49% - 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.
If you’re looking for a beginner travel card with great flexibility, you’ll find a ton of value in the Sapphire Preferred. For a relatively low annual fee of $95, you’ll enjoy a solid rewards rate in several everyday spending categories, including dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, which should make it easy to rack up rewards. Plus, the points you earn carry some of the highest redemption values available on a travel rewards card.
You can boost the value of your points by 25 percent when you redeem for travel using the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Includes a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for one year if you enroll by Dec. 31, 2024.
Cons
The card’s online grocery bonus category excludes all purchases at superstores like Walmart and Target as well as wholesale clubs like Costco.
Doesn’t include an intro APR offer on purchases or balance transfers, so you won’t catch a break on interest charges if you carry a balance.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
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 offer
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
13.49% - 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.
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. Plus, Discover is one of the few issuers to announce its quarterly categories the year prior, which makes your rewards potential more predictable and easier to maximize.
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 almost no minimums for redeeming rewards (gift cards must be redeemed in $5 intervals).
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.
New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
New Intro APR: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 13.49% to 24.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
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 offer
$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
17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% 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 competitors’. The card also features a generous welcome offer and an intro APR offer on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, which many rival cards lack.
Paying your cellphone bill each month with this card gets you cellphone protection against damage or theft (limit of two up to $600 claims per year, subject to a $25 deductible) — a handy but relatively uncommon perk that will be useful to many cardholders.
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 rewards 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 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% 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 categories to track or remember 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 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card. (subject to a $25 deductible).
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%
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.
5%
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.
2%
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants.
1%
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
$200 bonus
New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of
account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.74% - 26.74% (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.
You can personalize your earning experience with the U.S Bank Cash+ in more ways than one. You’ll get to choose your top two 5 percent cash back spending categories (on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent) and one 2 percent category, which can help you tailor your rewards strategy to meet your biggest anticipated expenses each quarter. Your rewards redemption options include statement credits, a U.S Bank Rewards card and more.
Pros
Your 2 percent earning tier and 1 percent earning tier do not have spending caps.
You can tailor your earning experience to match your spending habits across three different categories — including fast food, home utilities, grocery stores and more — all for no annual fee.
Cons
There aren’t many extra cardholder perks outside of fraud liability protection, and you’ll even miss out on some common features like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
You must enroll in your choice categories each quarter and stay aware of quarterly spending caps on the highest earning category.
New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.74% - 26.74%
No Annual Fee
Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
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 unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Intro offer
Up to $1,000 cash bonus
Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
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 varies or you simply don’t want to put a lot of time and thought into maximizing business rewards, this flat-rate cash back card is the ideal card for your wallet. You’ll earn unlimited 2 percent cash back on all purchases except for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which is 5 percent cash back. Keep in mind that it’s a charge card and requires you to pay your balance off in full each month.
The rewards program is straightforward and the flat-rate return on spending is generous.
You’ll skip foreign transaction fees with this business card.
No spending caps on cash back.
Cons
There’s a steep(ish) $150 annual fee.
Given it's a charge card, there are no flexible financing options.
Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
$150 annual fee
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
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 the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
2%
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
Intro offer
$750
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.74% - 20.74% 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.
It carries one of the best welcome offers out there for a business card with no annual fee, as well as rewards in several popular business spending categories like office supply stores and internet, cable and phone services. You’ll also get an intro APR offer on new purchases, giving you a chance to chip away at large expenses or free up cash flow in your first year.
The card’s sign-up bonus offer is one of the best available on a no-annual-fee business card, so it’s a good option if you have a large business expense on the horizon.
Its intro APR period is on the longer side for a business rewards card, so it could be a great fit if you want to finance business purchases in the short term without sacrificing long-term rewards value.
Cons
Though this card earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can’t transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs or get more than 1 cent per point in redemption value unless you pool points with one of the Chase Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Depending on how much you spend in this card’s bonus categories, you may earn more with a flat-rate rewards card, even if that means paying an annual fee.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
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 offer
75,000 miles
New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
17.49% - 25.49% (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.
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.
The card comes with an up to $100 credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Its flat-rate rewards and flexible travel redemption options help users get more mileage from their spending and exclusive portal features like AI-powered price tracking and price protection can help you save on bookings.
Cons
The $95 annual fee (not waived the first year) might be a bit too expensive for non-frequent flyers, especially since Capital One miles are worth less when redeemed for cash back.
Capital One lacks a major U.S. carrier as a travel partner.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through our Partner Lounge Network
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
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
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
1.5X
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
Intro offer
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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 makes it a breeze to earn travel rewards on every purchase. You’ll earn 1.5 points on every purchase you make and when it comes time to use your points, you’ll have a much wider range of travel redemption options than are typically offered on other travel credit cards.
Pros
There is an intro APR offer on purchases, giving you a decent break on interest for 15 billing cycles (then 16.24 percent to 26.24 percent variable APR).
Bank of America’s eligible categories for travel rewards redemptions are expansive, as you can earn travel credit toward campgrounds, cruise lines and even timeshares.
Cons
You must meet a point redemption minimum of 2,500 points to redeem for travel credits and cash.
You won’t be able to book travel directly through an issuer portal.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply.
If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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
5X
5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
18.49% - 25.49% (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.
It offers practical, high-value perks for a reasonable annual fee. Competing cards can charge $500 or more in annual fees, and though they tend to carry more benefits, these perks are often tailored to a niche audience and won’t offer much value to the average traveler.
Its platter of annual perks, including its travel credits and account anniversary bonus miles, can help you cover the $395 annual fee with little effort.
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 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
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
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,400+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and our Partner Lounge Network
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.
Balance transfer intro APR
21 months
0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.99% - 25.99% (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.
While it doesn't have 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.
Its 0 percent intro APR offer on purchases only lasts 12 months (15.99 to 25.99 percent variable after that). Several competing balance transfer cards offer an intro APR period of 18 months or more on purchases.
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 15.99% - 25.99%, 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.
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 billing cycles
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee (min. $10) applies.
Intro offer
$100 statement credit
$100 statement credit online bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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 you want a card that has everything you’ll need for a successful balance transfer, this card will keep you focused. What’s more, its sign-up bonus — a $100 online statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days — is rare for a balance transfer card and can make it a better value than rival options. If you’re transferring a relatively low balance, it may even cover the 3 percent balance transfer fee ($10 minimum). However, if your main goal is to pay down debt, charging more to your card after a balance transfer just to get a sign-up bonus may not be wise.
This card does not apply a penalty APR, which can be helpful if you’re afraid you may miss a payment.
With no annual fee and a variable APR and balance transfer fee that may clock in below rival cards’, the BankAmericard can be a comparatively low-cost, low-interest card.
Cons
Like many balance transfer cards, it doesn’t offer ongoing rewards and doesn’t provide much long-term value — especially since its intro APR periods are shorter than the current top offers.
You’ll be charged a 3 percent foreign transaction fee on purchases you make abroad.
$100 statement credit online bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
No annual fee.
No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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 Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats
5%
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
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 offer
$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
16.49% - 26.49% (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.
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®).
It’s a terrific standalone rewards card since it offers some of the best spending category coverage, unlimited rewards potential, intro APR and welcome bonus value available on one card.
The card touts a newbie-friendly structure, charging no annual fee or foreign transaction fees and offering automatic cash back redemption.
Cons
While it rewards several popular spending categories, it’s also missing a handful, including gas, travel and transit.
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
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats
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; 16.49% - 26.49% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
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 unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
$200
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% (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.
The Capital One Quicksilver Card is one of the most straightforward cash back rewards cards on the market, offering at least 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.
Features an automatic cash back redemption option, making it one of the simplest rewards card experiences available.
Cons
Its benefits list is a bit bare compared to a few of its rival cards.
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
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
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; 16.49%-26.49% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
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 offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24% - 27.24% 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 15.24 percent to 27.24 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 during the intro and extension periods. That’s one of the longest promotional interest offers on the market.
The promotional APR applies to both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, making it one of the best overall intro APR offers out there.
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.
There’s no rewards program, eating into the card’s long-term value.
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. 15.24% to 27.24% 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).
An easy way to earn cash back while you shop, dine or enjoy an experience simply by using your Wells Fargo credit card. Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants.
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 offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.74% - 26.74% (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.
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.
One of the only balance transfer cards to offer cellphone protection (up to two $600 claims per year, minus a $25 deductible) — a useful perk activated by paying your monthly cellphone bill with your card.
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
There are limited benefits and cardholder perks with this card.
Limited Time Offer!
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.74% - 26.74%.
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.
Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
No Annual Fee
Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
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 offer
$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
16.24% - 26.24% (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 at grocery stores or gas stations, and the card can provide perhaps the highest year-round rewards rate available for many of these purchases without paying an annual fee.
There’s a 15-month 0 percent introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers (then variable 16.24 percent to 26.24 percent APR).
Cons
Your bonus rewards rate is subject to a cap and limited to one spending category, which may make this a better pick as your second rewards card than as a standalone rewards card.
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 16.24% - 26.24%, 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
3X
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
3X
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
1X
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Intro offer
80,000 points
For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
18.24% - 26.24% (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.
You’ll get a lot of everyday value out of this Citi rewards card. With its highest reward rates on some of the most popular everyday spending categories and a sizable amount of airline transfer partners, your Citi ThankYou points can take you pretty far for a fairly low-cost.
Pros
Your highest earning spending categories are those that are often ranked highly in the average budget, including gas station purchases, supermarkets and restaurants.
You have the opportunity to get a $100 annual hotel savings benefit on a hotel stay of $500 or more with this Citi card (terms and conditions apply) which offsets the card’s $95 annual fee on its own.
Cons
You’ll need a minimum amount of 1,000 ThankYou points to transfer with Citi travel partners.
You won’t be able to save on interest charges if you carry a balance since there are no intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers.
For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
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 offer
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.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's 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
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 offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
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 is a great option if you're looking to build credit with responsible use while minimizing the size of your security deposit. You can access a $200 credit limit with just a $49 deposit and you'll be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as few as six months with on-time monthly payments — one of the shortest credit line review periods available on a card available at this credit level.
The $49 minimum security deposit is one of the lowest available on a secured card and is especially valuable considering it still gets you a starting credit limit of $200.
Capital One reports your card usage to all three credit bureaus to help you build credit.
Cons
Its ongoing value is greatly limited compared to secured cards’ that earn rewards, and its interest rate is higher than that of several other cards in this category.
Low security deposits usually translate to low starting credit limits, which can hurt your credit utilization ratio.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's 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 offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.49% - 28.49% (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.
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 offer
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
14.49% - 23.49% 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. In fact, it delivers the same rewards rates as Discover’s flagship rewards card.
The card’s low rates and fees weave a safety net for first-time cardholders. It carries no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or penalty APR and even waives your first late payment fee (the late fee is up to $41 after that).
There’s a six-month 0 percent introductory APR on purchases (then a relatively low ongoing APR of 14.49 percent to 23.49 percent, variable). That’s a rare but potentially helpful perk for newly-independent cardholders.
Cons
The rotating bonus rewards program might be confusing to credit card newbies.
Its additional features are barebones outside the rewards and low fees, even for a student card.
No credit score required to apply.
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.
New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 14.49% - 23.49% applies.
Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
A closer look at Bankrate’s best credit card offers
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for online grocery purchases
What we love about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: You can earn travel rewards at a great rate even if you don’t spend a ton on travel. Plus, you won’t have to pay the premium price that comes with many luxury travel rewards cards.
Who this card is good for: Occasional travelers who value flexibility and are looking for a low-cost way to earn travel rewards on everyday spending (especially foodies and fans of online grocery shopping).
Alternatives: If you’re brand new to travel cards and would rather avoid an annual fee — but still want a decent rewards rate and valuable miles — the Capital One VentureOne Rewards credit card is worth a look. The card carries a solid flat rewards rate (1.25X miles on all purchases), flexible redemption and even an intro APR on purchases that could help you chip away at expenses while saving on interest.
Discover it Cash Back: Best for maximizing rotating categories
What we love about the Discover it Cash Back: 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 of ownership.
Who this card is good 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.
Alternatives: While the Discover it Cash Back card offers low fees and predictable rotating bonus categories (categories are announced the year prior), the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers two additional, year-round 3 percent back categories and superior benefits, including fantastic travel insurance and World Elite Mastercard perks. However, you’ll need to be on your toes since Chase only announces rotating categories a quarter ahead of time.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Best for 2% cash rewards
What we love about the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Most cards that earn 2 percent cash rewards come with spending caps or tiered categories. With this card, earnings are unlimited on everyday purchases. The Active Cash also shores up its competitive edge with Wells Fargo’s traditional cellphone protection perk if you pay your monthly bill with this card (limit of two up to $600 claims per year, minus a $25 deductible).
Who this card is good for: Someone who wants to earn unlimited cash rewards on purchases at twice the rate of the typical 1 percent.
Alternatives: While technically not a flat-rate cash back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® carries a minimum of 1.5 percent back on all purchases as well as a variety of other unlimited bonus cash back categories, offering a significant boost to its average cash back rate if you spend heavily on dining, drugstores and travel through Chase.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Best for choice bonus of categories
What we love about the U.S. Bank Cash+: The rewards redemption flexibility and the choice of three spending categories make the U.S Bank Cash+ a great card for a personalized earning experience.
Who this card is good for: Frugal rewards strategists who don’t want to pay an annual fee for a top-notch rewards program and know how to tailor spending to maximize rewards without hitting any caps.
Alternatives: The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose from a broader, arguably more practical set of bonus categories than the U.S. Bank Cash+. The Customized Cash also brings more flexibility to the table, allowing you to swap your choice categories once per month rather than per quarter.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best flat-rate business card
What we love about the Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Cardholders can earn unlimited 2 percent cash back on general purchases and 5 percent on hotels and rental cards through Capital One Travel. It also comes with no preset spending limit.
Who this card is good for: A business owner with a lot of large expenses that cover many categories (office supplies, travel, etc.)
Alternatives: For business owners who may not be able to justify the $150 annual fee, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card may be a better fit. It earns 1.5 percent on all purchases and has a very competitive APR (13.99 percent to 19.99 percent, variable) while also having no annual fee.
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for business sign-up bonus
What we love about the Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Along with its stellar sign-up bonus and practical bonus categories, this card could offer terrific long-term value for frequent travelers: You can pair the Ink Business Cash card with one of the Chase Sapphire travel cards or the Ink Business Preferred card and squeeze 25 to 50 percent more value out of your points when you redeem for travel through Chase.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners who spend heavily on office supplies and internet, cable and phone services — especially frequent travelers who plan to pair the Ink Business Cash with a higher-tier Ultimate Rewards card.
Alternatives: If you’d rather not juggle multiple cards to ensure you’re earning bonus rewards on all of your business spending, you may prefer the simplicity that comes with a flat-rate rewards card like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. That card carries the same sign-up bonus and Ultimate Rewards potential as the Ink Business Cash, but earns a consistent 1.5 percent back on all your purchases, regardless of which category they fall into.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible redemption options
What we love about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 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 Capital One’s 15+ travel partners.
Who this card is good for: Frequent and occasional travelers who want an easy way to earn rewards and multiple options for using them.
Alternatives: If you opt for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, your points could be worth more than Capital One miles when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You may also want to consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card instead of the Venture. Despite its $395 annual fee, it may be a better deal overall since you can offset its cost easily via its yearly perks, instead of relying on the rewards you’d earn via card spending.
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for flat-rate travel rewards
What we love about the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: You’ll earn rewards on every purchase you make with this card, so you don’t have to max out a travel-specific budget to get the most bang for your buck.
Who this card is good for: Frequent travelers who want flexible ways to earn towards their trips and Bank of America Preferred Rewards members who can cash in on boosted rewards values.
Alternatives: The Discover it® Miles has a similar rewards structure as well as no annual fee, but depending on your spending habits its welcome offer could be more lucrative. Discover will match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first year, with no limit to how many miles you can earn. However, note that Discover doesn’t have as wide of an acceptance rate abroad as other issuing networks like Visa and Mastercard.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for no-frills benefits
What we love about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card sets the stage for a middle-ground option in the luxury travel space with its $395 annual fee and alluring travel benefits, including excellent airport lounge access and yearly travel credits and bonus miles.
Who this card is good for: Frequent travelers with a taste for premium perks without the highest of premium costs. The Venture X is built for cardholders who want better rewards and benefits than a $100-tier premium travel card carries, but can’t justify paying a $500-plus annual fee for an elite travel card stuffed with features they won’t use.
Alternatives: Occasional travelers that aren’t concerned with premium travel perks may get more value with Capital One’s former flagship card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which carries a much lower $95 annual fee.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Best for balance transfer with excellent credit
What we love about the Citi Diamond Preferred Card: The Citi Diamond Preferred Card’s introductory balance transfer offer is one of the longest available on the market.
Who this card is good for: Good credit owners looking for an exceptionally long balance transfer offer or lengthy introductory APR.
Alternatives: For more long-term value, it may be worth choosing the Citi Double Cash Card instead, since it earns an excellent cash back rate on top of its competitive 18-month 0 percent intro balance transfer APR (balance transfers must be within the first four months) and 16.24 percent to 26.24 percent (variable) regular APR. If you’d rather get a long intro APR period on purchases, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great option thanks to its up to 21 months* of 0 percent intro APR on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers from account opening (then 15.24 percent to 27.24 percent, variable).
*Intro APR extension of up to three months, for a total of up to 21 months, with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods.
BankAmericard Credit Card: Best for balance transfer card with a sign-up bonus
What we love about the BankAmericard Credit Card: This card offers a sign-up bonus, which is rare for a balance transfer card. You’ll earn $100 in statement credit when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Who this card is good for: Anyone who wants to focus on their balance transfer with minimal distractions. If your transferred balance is $3,333 or less, the BankAmericard’s sign-up bonus will cover the 3 percent ($10 minimum) balance transfer fee. Even if your balance is higher, the BankAmericard’s bonus cash and relatively low 3 percent balance transfer fee ($10 minimum) can potentially save you more than a longer intro APR would in some cases.
Alternatives: If a longer intro APR period is more important to your situation than a low ongoing APR and cash welcome bonus, compare the BankAmericard to the Citi Diamond Preferred Card. The latter offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months and on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be made within the first four months), along with a regular APR of 15.99 percent to 25.99 percent (variable).
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment
What we love about the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: On top of its comprehensive (and rare) entertainment bonus category, the card also earns rewards on popular streaming services and VividSeats tickets. That’s not to mention its everyday bonus categories, which are among the most rewarding out there for a card with no annual fee and make the SavorOne one of the most versatile standalone rewards cards on the market.
Who this card is good for: Entertainment-seekers who want to turn their appreciation for food and fun into cash rewards.
Alternatives: Chase loyalists seeking a card with a $0 annual fee and great rewards will want to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited instead, which combines 3 percent cash back on dining with 5 percent back on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for 1.5% cash back
What we love about the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: 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).
Who this card is good for: People who prefer simple cash back rewards: no special categories or earning limits, just 1.5 percent cash back on every eligible purchase. The Quicksilver’s automatic cash back redemption option makes it even better for cardholders who value simplicity.
Alternatives: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a tough competitor of the Quicksilver with its additional bonus cash back categories on dining and drugstore purchases. However, if being able to earn rewards at the same rate on all purchases makes the Quicksilver especially appealing, consider potentially higher-earning flat-rate cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash or Citi® Double Cash Card.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card: Best for promotional interest
What we love about the Wells Fargo Reflect Card: The promotional interest offer extends to both purchases 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 15.24 percent to 27.24 percent variable APR).
Who this card is good for: Someone who needs a lot of breathing room to pay off a transferred balance or upcoming purchases.
Alternatives: Similar to the Reflect card, the BankAmericard credit card is primarily a balance transfer card with few ongoing perks and benefits, but it features a unique intro cash bonus that could help minimize the cost of your balance transfer and potentially offset the cost of your balance transfer fee entirely.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card: Best for long intro APR
What we love about the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card: The intro APR periods on this card are some of the longest upfront offers on the market for both purchases and balance transfers.
Who this card is good for: Anyone looking to finance a large purchase without extra interest charges for a long period of time. This card has an intro APR offer of 20 billing cycles on both balance transfers and purchases (then 16.74 percent to 26.74 percent variable APR).
Alternatives: Individuals looking to perform a balance transfer and earn cash back rewards in the process will see much more long-term value from the Citi Double Cash Card compared to other cards that offer an 18-month intro balance transfer APR (then 16.24 percent to 26.24 percent, variable). However, cardholders purely focused on paying off their balance and future purchases will likely find the Wells Fargo Reflect a slightly stronger option thanks to its potentially longer intro APR period.
Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for automatic bonus category
What we love about the Citi Custom Cash Card: 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. The 10 potential bonus categories include expenses that are often overlooked — like fitness clubs or live entertainment — and the card carries some of the highest year-round rewards rates available in these categories without paying an annual fee.
Who this card is good for: Someone who wants the high rewards rate of a bonus cash back card without activating or choosing categories in advance. Those looking for a second rewards card to focus on particular expenses will love the Custom Cash as well, thanks to its especially flexible rewards program.
Alternatives: The Chase Freedom Flex is an excellent alternative as it provides top-notch rewards earning potential and category diversity, as well as its ability to pool rewards with Chase’s premium cards and redeem them for a higher value toward travel purchases.
Citi Premier Card: Best for travel rewards on everyday purchases
What we love about the Citi Premier Card: There are plenty of reward redemption options and you earn the most on popular budget spending categories.
Who this card is good for: People who spend predominantly on everyday purchases rather than travel purchases, but may want to use those points earnings the most on travel in the future.
Alternatives: The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® earns unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases every time you make a payment. This alternative encourages you to stay consistent with good credit habits by incentivizing making payments and the unlimited rewards on all purchases lets you cover a lot of ground with where you earn. Just note that you’ll only be earning cash back, so your reward redemption options aren’t as far reaching as with the Citi Premier.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
What we love about the Capital One Platinum Credit Card: This card does not charge an annual fee and it’s possible for people with a FICO credit score as low as 580 to be approved. However, the Capital One Platinum card’s selling point is its short automatic account review period. Starting after six months, Capital One will review your account for positive credit practices to potentially increase your credit limit — perhaps the shortest review period available.
Who this card is good for: People with fair credit looking for a card with no annual fee and no security deposit that will help them build credit with responsible use.
Alternatives: If you’re willing to pay a $39 annual fee, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a similar card that offers a rewards program in the form of 1.5 percent cash back on purchases.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best credit limit policy
What we love about the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Not many secured cards come with no annual fee and security deposit requirements as low as $49. Plus, Capital One will review your account for a potential credit limit increase after six months.
Who this card is good for: Those with fair credit or lower (a 669 FICO Score or below, or a 600 VantageScore or below) — or no credit history at all — who want to build their credit with few distractions.
Alternatives: For people with limited credit history who want to build their score while taking advantage of a few perks, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns rewards on purchases and offers the opportunity to qualify for an introductory rate on balance transfers for six months (24.49 percent variable APR thereafter).
Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: Best for credit-building with cash back
What we love about the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: Cardholders have the opportunity to periodically increase their cash back rate to up to 1.5 percent back after making their first 12 monthly payments on time. There aren’t many opportunities to score an unsecured card with no annual fee and a rewards program, let alone with the Petal 2 card’s generous flat-rate cash back and potentially low APR.
Who this card is good for: Anyone with no credit history who wants to start building credit while enjoying modest rewards and an impressively low interest rate.
Discover it Student Cash Back: Best for earning cash back with no credit history
What we love about the Discover it Student Cash Back: Most cash back cards with this earning potential require a good to excellent credit score, so it stands out as an especially lucrative student card. Discover’s top-tier customer service, Cashback Match welcome offer and generously low rates and fees grant students peace of mind and top-notch value.
Who this card is good for: College students interested in building a credit history and earning as they learn about rotating bonus categories.
Alternatives: Providing a more straightforward option for earning rewards, budget-conscious students will love the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card’s unlimited 3 percent cash back on student-centric categories (dining, entertainment and popular streaming services) and 8 percent back on Vivid Seats purchases if there’s an event in your future plans.
A credit card, usually a plastic or metal card, is a financial product similar to a personal line of credit that lets you make purchases now, but pay for them later. When you’re approved for a credit card, you get a credit limit that determines the maximum dollar amount you can charge to your card. As you make purchases, your available credit decreases. When you pay your bill, your available credit increases.
With a credit card, you can 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 facing potential 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 essential when choosing 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.
Credit limit: This is your credit card’s spending limit and 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.
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.
Credit card issuer: Often confused with credit card networks — like Visa or Mastercard that facilitate transactions between merchants and card issuers — credit card issuers provide credit cards directly to consumers. Cardholders can receive credit cards from financial institutions like credit unions or banks.
Bankrate insight
The impact of the Federal Reserve’s action to hike rates is likely to filter down to credit card holders, and you should be prepared to see your variable card rates start going up. As any increase can be unwelcome for borrowers with revolving debt, it’s important to look for opportunities to get out of the cycle, like finding a zero-interest balance transfer credit card.
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. Using your credit card only for what you can afford is a great way to establish and maintain good credit.
Building your credit. Using a credit card responsibly is one of the best ways to establish and improve your credit score. 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.
To get credit card rewards and perks. Since merchants may increase their prices to account for credit card interchange fees — whether you pay with a card or cash — rewards card programs and perks like bonus statement credits can help you save money on some of your biggest expenses. For instance, using a travel rewards card on your usual purchases can eventually earn enough points or miles to cover a flight that could otherwise cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
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.
Resolving consumer issues. Paying with credit cards provides consumers 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 a refund if you pay with a debit card or check. If you paid with a card, however, you can dispute the charges on your credit card and report the contractor to your issuer, which will withhold the funds.
Pros and cons of credit cards
Credit cards can be a great way to manage your money and make sure you pay your bills on time — but the problem is that they’re also very easy to use. Because of this, you should be aware of some of the benefits and drawbacks of owning a credit card.
Pros
You can have financial flexibility. With a credit card, you don’t have to carry around cash or worry about having enough money on hand for purchases. This can help make your daily purchases more affordable and even help pay for vacations or other big expenses later on down the road.
You can earn rewards points. Some credit cards offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points for every dollar you spend. Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, merchandise and other perks.
You can build your credit score. Credit cards help build a positive payment history that may help you get approved for other loans or lines of credit in the future.
Cons
You could face high interest rates. Credit card interest rates are higher than other types of loans or credit accounts (such as mortgages). This means your payments will be higher if you don’t pay off your balance each month.
You could get into debt. If you don’t pay off your balance, then this will affect your credit score and may make it harder for you to get loans in the future (although this depends on whether your card provider reports your payment history to credit reference agencies).
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 cards, cash back cards and general rewards cards. When you use a rewards card to make purchases, you’ll accumulate points or miles redeemable 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 (card issuers will typically charge a balance transfer 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 credit — or even no 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 others with less-than-ideal 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
Travel credits toward expenses like airfare, hotel stays and airport screening services
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:
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.
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.
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:
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. In fact, some cards for international students don’t even require a Social Security number.
Student-oriented benefits. Instead of typical features, some student cards offer perks that are more 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 an established income or credit experience yet, 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.
Still unsure which credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
How to choose 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:
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. 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.
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 July 20, 2022, Bankrate estimates the average credit card interest rate at 17.25 percent variable.
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).
However, cards designed around the intro APR usually don’t earn rewards and lack long-term value. If you don’t need 18 months or more to pay off upcoming purchases or a transferred balance, you might want to look into a no annual fee rewards card. Several of these options carry a 0 percent intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for up to 15 months and earn their keep the card long after your debt is settled.
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.
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.
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, 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. Based on the FICO scoring model a good-to-excellent credit score will fall in the range of 670 to 850. If you find that your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, you can increase your credit score to improve your chances for qualification.
Look for personalized or prequalified offers. With a prequalified credit card offer, you can get an idea of your chances for approval without submitting an application that will trigger a hard credit inquiry. Hard credit inquiries temporarily decrease your credit score and stay on your report for two years. Prequalification processes usually involve a soft credit check, so they 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 prequalified matches. Be aware that a prequalified match is still not a guarantee of approval.
What to do if your application is denied. There are a variety of reasons an issuer may choose to reject an application, such as a low credit score or high debt-to-income ratio. Plus, a rejection is possible if you’ve applied for multiple cards in a short period — it’s likely interpreted as credit-risky behavior. Once you’ve received a denial explanation from the issuer, there are a few steps you can take to remedy the situation.
You can address any concerns on your credit report by contacting the issuer’s reconsideration line and pleading your case. While there’s no guarantee it will work, it’s worth a shot if you believe you’re a desirable applicant.
If you’ve been denied before, consider improving your score before applying again.
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. Getting the most out of your card will require a bit of strategy and planning. 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 improve it. 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 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.
Leverage your rewards: Make sure to study your rewards program’s terms so you can prioritize stores that fit your bonus categories and choose the most valuable redemption options for your needs. Learning your card’s merchant category codes (MCCs) and transfer partners (if you have a travel card) can also help rake in extra rewards value in situations you might not expect.
Avoiding credit card pitfalls
There are plenty of advantages to using 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. If you do happen to accrue credit card debt there are strategies you can use to get your debt under control.
Introductory bonuses: Some credit cards offer lucrative sign-up bonuses to new cardmembers in the form of points, miles or cash back when the new member meets a certain spending requirement in a specific period. While designed to encourage spending, it’s important to be wary that it may not be as valuable and could leave you with more debt.
Fees: Even the best credit cards often come with a variety of fees such as 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.
Latest credit card news updates
The credit card landscape has been changing in recent months, driven by factors such as interest rate hikes. Some current credit card trends to be aware of include:
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 21 months before the regular APR applies.
Fees
A low ownership cost 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
Benefits geared toward providing cardholders ongoing value like annual credits, auto-pay options, credit-building tools, fraud protection, insurance and more help make a credit card worth keeping in your wallet.
Learn more about types of credit cards
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 is certainly a card out there that best fits your needs. However, picking a card from the crowd can be a challenge. To make your decision a little easier, Bankrate curates a list of the top credit cards based on a range of cardholders’ biggest priorities — crowning the cream of the crop each year with a Bankrate Award.
BankAmericard: Best for debt consolidators + Best for large purchases
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express: Best for streaming services
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, plus the opportunity to build your credit and graduate to a higher-tier card.
Although Experian estimates that the average American has four cards, the number of credit cards you should have depends entirely on your unique situation. For example, you’ll probably want to carry multiple cards if you’re looking to maximize rewards on a broader range of expenses or wield perks specific to your favorite stores, airlines or hotels. However, you may want to stick to one card if you prioritize building credit or a streamlined rewards experience.
Having several cards is fine as long as they deliver benefits that you take full advantage of (miles, cash back, perks and so on). Just beware of burdening yourself with annual fees and temporarily bruising your credit score from multiple card applications in a short period.
A credit card application could have a negative (but temporary and relatively small) effect on your credit score. Getting approved for a credit card or other type of credit account requires some scrutiny of your track record as a borrower. The process can involve two types of credit checks:
A “hard” inquiry is when the lender pulls your credit report to make a decision about whether to lend to you.
A “soft” inquiry is when the lender checks your credit as part of a preliminary screening. Pre-qualified credit card offers involve soft credit inquiries, so keep an eye out for cards that offer pre-qualification.
A hard inquiry can subtract a few points from your credit score temporarily, while a soft inquiry usually has no effect. You’ll want to limit the number of hard inquiries on your credit report, so be as selective as possible about which credit cards you apply for and try to get preapproved first.
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.
Your potential credit card issuer will let you know what information they’ll require for your credit card application. A few things you definitely need to include are listed below:
Name
Date of birth
Address
Social Security number
You should also be ready to provide additional information such as:
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.
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections.
* 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.
