There's a credit card for everyone and every occasion, but before you can start enjoying the perks credit cards can offer, you need to find the right one. Whether you're looking for a travel card to earn points for a fabulous vacation, a cash back card to earn money back on your purchases, a starter or student card to build your credit, a balance transfer card to pay down debt, or a business card, you've got plenty of options.
Keep reading to learn more about our editors' picks for the best credit cards and find your match.
Best travel cards
Premium Travel Rewards & Perks
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Rewards Rate
2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25
Benefits
- $300 annual travel credit
- 10,000 anniversary miles
- Unlimited access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges
- Elevated rewards miles on flights and hotels booked via Capital One Travel
- Valuable travel protections
Drawbacks
- $395 annual fee
- Travel credits require booking through Capital One Travel
- No elite hotel status
- 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 a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip 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 and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- 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
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Incredibly Flexible Rewards
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25
Benefits
- Has a generous welcome offer
- Offers up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit
- Has an easy rewards program and highly flexible travel redemptions
- Doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
- Offers valuable travel protections
Drawbacks
- The $95 annual fee may not fit every budget
- No travel credits for airline or hotel bookings
- 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
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- 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 $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
Drawbacks
- Lower earnings than category-specific travel cards
- Limited travel perks
- 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 as long as your account remains open.
- 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% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America 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.
Earn Valuable Travel Points Even Faster
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Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Current Offer
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com; 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations; and 1X points on all other purchases
Benefits
- Exceptional rewards on travel booked through Citi Travel
- Offers opportunities to transfer points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio
- Elevated rewards on everyday spending, like grocery shopping
Drawbacks
- Requires good-to-excellent credit to qualify
- You get the most rewards only by booking travel through Citi’s portal
- Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Premium Travel Benefits
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Rewards Rate
5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
Benefits
- Up to $300 in annual travel credits
- Great rewards on travel purchases and dining
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Comprehensive travel protections, including trip delay and cancellation insurance
- 50% point redemption bonus when booking through Chase Travel
Drawbacks
- $550 annual fee
- High spending requirement for the welcome offer
- $75 annual fee for each authorized user
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 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, 2027.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Excellent Travel Benefits
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
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U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Current Offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, EV charging stations on the first $1,000 each quarter (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded); 2X points on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Benefits
- up to 5X points on eligible purchases
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit
- Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 4X on travel
- 4X at gas stations and EV charging stations through September 8, 2024, after that 4X on your first $1,000 each quarter (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded)
- 2X on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded effective September 9, 2024).
- Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursement toward your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee once every four years.
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
- Points never expire as long as your account is active.
- Protection and assistance when traveling with Trip Cancelation/Interruption, Trip Delay Reimbursement and SmartDelay.
- Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership gives you 4 free visits to over 1,300 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Free checked bags & more
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Current Offer
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual Fee
$99 (waived first year)
Rewards Rate
2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; and 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Benefits
- Free checked bag
- Early boarding on flights
- Good bonus categories that align with everyday spending
Drawbacks
- Limited rewards flexibility
- No lounge access
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Best cashback credit cards
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% 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.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Unlimited Cash Back
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Benefits
- Has a $0 annual fee
- Has an easy-to-earn welcome offer
- Offers a simple rewards program and flexible redemption methods
- Comes with intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers
- Doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
- Doesn’t offer elevated rewards on common everyday categories
- Has a shorter intro balance transfer APR period than some other cards
- Earn a 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; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Cash Back in Categories You Choose!
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Current Offer
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Benefits
- Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
- No annual fee
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Up to 5% cash back on eligible purchases
Drawbacks
- Has foreign transaction fee
- $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 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 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 18.99% - 29.24%
- No Annual Fee
- Terms and conditions apply.
Up to 5% Cash Back
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Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
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% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
- Solid rewards on office supply, telecom spending, gas, and dining
- Generous welcome offer
- Intro APR on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Valuable purchase and travel protections
Drawbacks
- Bonus rewards capped after $25,000 annual spend in each category
- No bonus rewards for travel or advertising purchases
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after 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 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®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Choose Your Cashback Category
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- $0 annual fee
- Enhanced cash back in a popular spending category of your choice
- Long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- You can swap out your highest spending category each month, so you can maximize earnings
Drawbacks
- Quarterly spending caps
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Must be a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member for maximized benefits
- Not as many redemption options
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- 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.
Earn Cash Back Twice
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Citi Double Cash® Card
Current Offer
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 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
Rewards Rate
2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25
Benefits
- Simple flat-rate cash back on all your purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) APR
- No annual fee
Drawbacks
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No bonus categories to maximize earnings
- No introductory APR on purchases
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Unlimited Cash Back
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Current Offer
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
- High base rewards rate of 1.5%
- $0 annual fee
- Valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders
- Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
Drawbacks
- Has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- No bonus categories for gas or groceries
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Best balance transfer credit cards
Extra Long Intro APR on Purchases & Qualifying Balance Transfers
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Current Offer
Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR
- Up to $600 Cell phone protection when you pay for the cell phone with your card (subject to a $25 deductible)
- $0 annual fee
- The ongoing APR may still be competitive compared to other cards
Drawbacks
- No rewards for spending
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 5%, min: $5 balance transfer fee
- Limited list of card perks
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
0% introductory APR
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
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U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Current Offer
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.24% - 29.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- Introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Cell phone protection
- No annual fee
Drawbacks
- No rewards program
- Balance transfer fee applies
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.24% - 29.24%.
- 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
- Terms and conditions apply.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% 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.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Extended 0% Intro APR for Balance Transfers
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Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Current Offer
Long introductory APR period for balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)) APR
- Choose your payment due date
- $0 annual fee
Drawbacks
- Does not earn rewards
- Charges 5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
- Has a 3% foreign transaction fee
- 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 17.74% - 28.49%, 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.
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases
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Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- Simple cash back structure
- Intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- $0 annual fee
Drawbacks
- Limited redemption options
- High spend requirement for the welcome offer
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
- No annual fee.
- No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- 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.
No annual fee & 0% Intro APR
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Current Offer
Long introductory APR period on balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.74% - 29.49% (Variable) APR
- Includes access to Citi Entertainment, which offers exclusive presales.
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%.
- No rewards program, but that’s common for balance transfer cards.
- No welcome offer, but again, that’s normal for this type of card.
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 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 18.74% - 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
Best credit cards for building credit
A+ for Students
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Current Offer
Rewards Rate
1% cash back on all purchases
Benefits
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Eligible for a credit limit increase after 5 on-time payments in first 10 months
- Receive $20 in Good Standing Rewards for up to 5 years
Drawbacks
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 1% cash back on all purchases
Best business cards
Up to 5% Cash Back
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
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% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
- Solid rewards on office supply, telecom spending, gas, and dining
- Generous welcome offer
- Intro APR on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Valuable purchase and travel protections
Drawbacks
- Bonus rewards capped after $25,000 annual spend in each category
- No bonus rewards for travel or advertising purchases
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after 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 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®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Flexible Payment Options with Unlimited Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$195
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; unlimited 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more; unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases
Benefits
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Opportunity to pay eligible purchases off over time with Flex for Business
- Employee cards earn rewards, and the cards are available at no additional cost
Drawbacks
- Has a high annual fee
- Most new cardholders must pay the balance in full monthly
- No option to transfer to travel partners or combine points
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
- Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
- Member FDIC
Unlimited Cash Back
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Benefits
- $0 annual fee
- Elevated flat-rate rewards structure
- Generous welcome offer
- Intro APR offer on purchases
- Free employee cards
Drawbacks
- No bonus rewards for specific categories
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Limited travel perks
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Hot Welcome Bonus
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Current Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases
Benefits
- Generous welcome offer
- High rewards rate on common business expenses
- Flexible Ultimate Rewards points
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cell phone, purchase, and travel protections
Drawbacks
- Annual fee of $95
- $150,000 annual cap on bonus category spending
- No intro APR offer
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Current Offer
Earn a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Benefits
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Generous welcome offer
- $0 annual fee
Drawbacks
- High minimum balance to qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business
- Introductory 0%APR (then 17.99% - 27.99% Variable) on purchases only lasts 9 billing cycles
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Earn a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
- unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
How to choose the best credit card
Choosing the right credit card for you generally comes down to six different factors.
1. Your credit score and credit history
Lenders use your credit score and credit history from the credit bureaus to help determine whether they should give you any money in the form of credit. Many lenders check your FICO score, which is a type of credit score. FICO scores typically use these ranges:
- Excellent: 800 to 850
- Very good: 740 to 799
- Good: 670 to 739
- Fair: 580 to 669
- Poor: 300 to 579
You usually need at least a good credit score for many of the better credit card options out there, including credit cards with elevated rewards and benefits. And with excellent credit, you have the best chance of being approved.
But there are also credit cards available if you have a fair or poor credit score or you're a beginner and need a credit card with no credit history. And creditors look at more than just your credit score. Having a certain score does not guarantee approval.
2. Welcome offers
A welcome offer or welcome bonus is typically an offer for new card members that’s available on rewards credit cards. These offers can vary, but they often follow the format of giving new cardholders a substantial amount of rewards for spending a certain amount of money on the applicable card within a few or more months of signing up.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides this sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (that's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel). Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
Credit card offers can provide loads of value and should be considered if you’re comparing multiple credit cards. If two credit cards generally offer the same benefits, the one with the higher welcome bonus might be the better choice.
3. Types of rewards
You can typically earn credit card rewards in the form of points, miles, or cash back. Points and miles are often best suited if you prefer to redeem rewards for travel, such as flights or hotel stays. Cashback rewards are likely best for you if you don’t need travel redemption options and prefer the opportunity to save money on everyday expenses.
Tip
Cards may offer other benefits such as a discount or extra points for using Uber or Lyft, fee credits if you apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, or access to exclusive events.4. Rewards categories
Along with earning different types of rewards, you can also earn reward points in different ways:
- Flat-rate rewards: You earn the same rewards rate on every purchase.
- Bonus categories: You earn more rewards on specific purchases.
- Rotating categories: You earn more rewards on specific purchases at certain times of the year.
You might prefer a card with flat-rate rewards because it’s simple and you likely wouldn’t have to carry more than one card in your wallet.
But you might discover that your everyday spending habits typically align with certain types of purchases, such as groceries, gas, or streaming subscriptions. If that’s the case, having a card that earns more rewards in those bonus spending categories could provide more value.
Tip
Note that some cards that offer higher cash back rates for grocery stores may not include stores like Walmart and Target in the grocery store category.If you find your expenses tend to vary, a credit card with rotating bonus categories might make sense. The rotating categories often align with common expenses, so you can potentially earn plenty of rewards on your everyday purchases throughout the year.
You may also want to consider reward card program programs. Some like Chase Ultimate Rewards, for example, while others prefer American Express Membership Rewards.
5. Annual fees
Some credit card accounts have annual fees, while others don’t. Cards with annual fees tend to have more benefits, but you have to consider the annual cost against the value of the benefits to see if it’s worth it for you.
Keep in mind that both credit cards with no annual fee and cards with a fee could be worth it depending on your situation. So don’t be thrown off immediately if a card has an annual fee.
6. Interest and other fees
We don’t recommend using credit cards if you plan to carry a balance that will end up collecting interest. Or making late payments and having to pay fees. But sometimes things happen and it’s reasonable to be aware of a credit card’s interest rate and other fees like late fees.
And if you’re looking for a low-interest credit card, it could make sense to find a card with a 0% intro APR on purchases and/or balance transfers. This could help you avoid interest charges if you have an upcoming large purchase or want to pay down an existing balance.
If you're planning to travel abroad, consider looking for a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Note that in some cases, you might choose a credit card depending on the payment network, such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. For example, Visa and Mastercard credit cards are typically accepted worldwide, but Amex cards aren’t as globally accepted.
5 types of credit cards
Credit card companies provide many different types of credit cards to help people meet their specific financial goals. For example, you might want to earn rewards on everyday purchases, so you could be interested in comparing the best rewards credit cards to find the right card.
But do you want to earn bonus rewards in the form of cash back, points, or miles? And are you interested in earning a welcome bonus after spending a certain amount on your card within a few months of account opening? Or can you float an annual fee?
It can get slightly overwhelming trying to narrow down the type of credit card that might be right for you. To make it simple, we’ve separated the different types of cards into five primary categories and who they might be best for:
1. Travel credit cards
Travel credit cards focus on earning travel rewards in the form of points or miles and providing travel-related benefits. You can typically redeem your points or miles toward many types of common travel expenses, including airfare, flight upgrades, hotel stays, and rental cars.
Travel rewards can typically be redeemed when you book travel through the card issuer or when you transfer points to the issuer's travel partners. You can typically also redeem your points or miles for statement credits.
Travel benefits vary by card, but could include:
- Airport lounge access like access Priority Pass lounges
- Travel credit, such as a hotel credit that you can use through the card's travel platform
- Elite status with a loyalty program such as Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy
Some travel credit cards also include travel perks like statement credits to help cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.
You should choose a travel credit card if you want to earn rewards that you can redeem toward travel and you want benefits that can enhance your travel experiences. You should also consider the card's redemption options and travel partners before you settle on the right one for you.
2. Cash back credit cards
Cash back credit cards are a type of rewards card that earns cash back rather than points or miles. Cashback redemptions vary by card but could include:
- Statement credits
- Deposits into a linked bank account
- Mailed checks
- Gift cards
You should choose a cash back credit card if you prefer earning cash back over points or miles. This typically means you’re not as interested in redeeming rewards for travel.
3. Balance transfer
Balance transfer credit cards often provide a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for a certain amount of time, usually between 12 and 18 months. This type of offer gives you an opportunity to move debt from another credit product onto your new credit card and not have to pay interest on the balance for the specified amount of time.
Note that you typically have to pay a balance transfer fee to do a balance transfer, regardless of whether you have an introductory period with a 0% APR.
You should choose a balance transfer credit card with the longest 0% APR if you need some time to pay off debt without worrying about interest charges for a while.
4. Credit cards for building credit
Credit cards for building credit are designed to help you build your credit history and improve your credit score if you have fair credit, bad credit, or no credit. Just about any credit card can help you build your credit, but you likely won’t qualify for all types of cards if you have little or no credit history.
Fortunately, secured credit cards exist, as well as other unsecured cards that don’t have strict credit requirements. These types of cards don’t typically have high credit limits or many benefits, and secured credit cards typically require a security deposit. But they can help you build your credit score and qualify for better credit cards and other credit products.
You should choose a credit card for building credit if you don’t qualify for other credit cards with elevated rewards and benefits.
5. Business cards
Business credit cards are for small business owners with business expenses. There’s not much difference between personal credit cards and business credit cards, but you might find specific business-related benefits and rewards on a business card.
Business credit cards also typically have little impact on your personal credit score, even though you often need a decent credit score to qualify for many business cards. Additionally, business credit cards can help you separate personal and business expenses for tax purposes.
You should choose a business credit card if you’re a small business owner who wants to separate personal and business expenses while benefiting from specific business-related card perks.
FAQs
Does opening a credit card hurt my credit?
Opening a credit card could negatively impact your credit score in two ways:
- Lenders check your credit reports with a hard inquiry that can cause a small drop in your credit score.
- A new credit card lowers the average age of your credit accounts and potentially your credit score as well.
Hard inquiries stay on your credit report for two years, but they typically only affect your credit score for one year.
How often should you use a credit card to build credit?
Credit card issuers and other lenders typically report your credit usage on a monthly basis, so it makes sense to use your credit card each month. This will help build your credit score and keep your credit account active as long as you’re making full and on-time payments.
Does closing a credit card hurt your credit?
Closing a credit card could hurt your credit. This is because it lowers the amount of credit you have available, which increases your debt-to-income ratio. In general, it's best to keep accounts open unless there is a compelling reason to close them.
For example, you might close a card that's charging excessive fees.
Bottom line
The best credit card for you depends on your preferences and financial goals. Be sure to look at multiple cards, their benefits, and their credit score requirements to select the best card for you.
Methodology
We evaluated cards from our partners on a variety of factors to determine which cards to feature in each category. These factors include intro APRs, ongoing APRs, rewards programs, fees, and overall consumer value. We did not evaluate or include all cards available.
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