Best Credit Cards of 2026

Don't settle for a basic card. Whether you want massive cash back, discounted flights, or a break from interest charges, the right card can completely change the way you spend. We've sifted through the clutter to bring you the top credit cards of 2025 from our partners – including a few you might not expect.

Keep reading to learn more about our editors' picks for the best credit cards and find your match.

How to choose the best credit card

Choosing the right credit card for you generally comes down to weighing six key factors. Here's how we recommend narrowing down your options.

Understand 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. The FICO scoring model typically uses these score 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 a certain score will never guarantee approval.

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, including your income and borrowing history.

Pay attention to 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 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.

Consider rewards categories and redemption

Along with types of rewards, you can earn rewards at different rates for each category. There are three different ways to define rewards categories: 

• Flat-rate rewards: You earn the same rewards rate on every purchase.
• Bonus categories: You earn more rewards on specific purchases. Typically, certain retailers are excluded from these categories. For example, Walmart and Target aren't often included under grocery store spending.
• Rotating categories: You can earn more rewards on specific purchases at certain times of the year with rotating category credit cards. These categories typically rotate each quarter, sometimes each month, and often require activation.

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 purchase categories, 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. If your expenses tend to vary, a credit card with rotating bonus categories might make sense. 

You also want to consider rewards programs and redemptions. Chase Ultimate Rewards points differ from Citi ThankYou Points, for instance, in terms of redemption rates and how you can use your rewards. The portal you use to redeem your points, and your options for redemption, play a significant role in the value your card provides.

Learn more: How To Calculate the Value of Your Credit Card Points

Compare 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.

Research interest and other fees

We don't recommend using credit cards if you plan to carry a balance that will collect interest or making late payments and having to pay fees. But sometimes things happen, and it's important 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 credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. 

Note 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 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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. But you shouldn't use a welcome offer as your only determining factor because you want to think about which card will provide the most benefits long-term, not just right now. It's also important to note spending requirements for welcome offers. Sometimes, these will feel reasonable for your current spending habits; other times, they might cause you to stretch your budget in ways you can't afford.

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. Balance transfer credit cards

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.

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. Business credit 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.

5. Credit-building cards

If you have a limited credit history, you can opt for a card that's geared toward those who are building their credit. You could go with a secured credit card, which is a card that requires a security deposit. Your credit line is often equal to the amount you deposit.

There are also unsecured credit cards designed for those with little or no credit. Some of these cards even offer rewards.

If you're a college student, you may want to opt for a student credit card. They typically have flexible credit requirements as well.

Ultimately, the best credit card to get is one you qualify for, has a low or no annual fee, and offers rewards that align with your financial goals.

Best credit cards of February 2026

• Chase Freedom Unlimited^®
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, 1.5% on all other purchases
  • Why we picked it: Excellent for those looking for both a long intro APR balance transfer period and ongoing rewards
• Discover it^® Cash Back
  • 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, then 1% on all other purchases
  • Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for high-rate cash back categories with $0 annual fee
• Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2X on other travel purchases
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for semi-frequent travelers looking for elevated rewards
• Chase Slate^®
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a variable APR of 18.24% - 28.24% thereafter)
  • $0 annual fee
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for those who need to pay down high-interest credit card debt or finance large purchases
• Citi Simplicity^® Card
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (then 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable); balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening)
  • No late fees, no penalty rate, and $0 annual fee
  • Why we picked it: Recommended if you need a long payoff period for a balance transfer
• Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable)
  • Up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible) and Roadside Dispatch
  • Why we picked it: Excellent if you want a long payoff period on balance transfers along with benefits like cell phone protection
• Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (then 16.49% - 27.24% (Variable). Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening)
  • Access to Citi Entertainment
  • Why we picked it: Recommended if you have a lot of credit card debt to pay off and you'd like ongoing entertainment perks
• Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card
  • Earn 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
  • 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for simple travel rewards with no annual or foreign transaction fees
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer)
  • 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
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for simple travel rewards with up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value)
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for travelers looking for flexible redemption options
• American Express Platinum Card^®
  • Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
  • 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for luxury travelers looking for elite hotel status, annual credits, and premium travel protections (enrollment required for select benefits)
• Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card
  • Earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • Why we picked it: Excellent for those who like to keep things simple by having a high flat rate on purchases
• Citi Double Cash^® Card
  • 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel
  • 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (then 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable))
  • Why we picked it: Recommended for those looking for a card that incentivizes paying it off
• Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
  • $0 annual fee
  • 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice
  • Why we picked it: Ideal for flexible earners who want to swap their top spending category each month to maximize rewards

  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.

  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. 

  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.

  Bottom line

  The best credit card to get depends on your spending habits and preferences, credit profile, and financial goals. There are many excellent options for any type of credit card you might be looking for, whether you've got your eye on a travel credit card, a cash back or other rewards card, a balance transfer card, or something else.

  As you're searching, consider multiple issuers, look into credit requirements, research benefits and perks, think about how a new card would fit into your current wallet, and make sure you understand the fee schedules and interest rates for any card you're interested in. And when possible, check to see if you can prequalify for a card before you officially apply.

Extra Long Intro APR on Purchases & Qualifying Balance Transfers

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

4.9

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

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% 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

Drawbacks

• 3% foreign transaction fee
• 5%, min: $5 balance transfer fee
• Limited list of card perks

Card Details

• Apply Now to take advantage of this 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. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% 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.