Credit card blogs are always full of churners and high rollers who put thousands of dollars of spend on their cards each month to earn free trips around the world. But while these stories can be inspiring, they’re not often manageable for the typical cardholder.
On the bright side, you don’t actually need to spend like a Rockefeller to take advantage of credit card rewards. Even modest spenders can earn great cash back, points, and miles — without breaking the bank. Tons of great cards are out there that are perfect for light spenders. With that in mind, we have compiled the list below which includes 18 of our experts’ picks for the best credit cards for light spenders.
With these cards, you won’t need to pay huge annual fees, reach absurd spending requirements, or charge a bundle each month to see real rewards. Of course, while these are the top picks, they’re hardly the only options for light spenders to make the most of their credit card.
Overall | Cash Back | Travel | Signup Bonus | Student | Business
Although ever consumer’s spending habits are unique, there are a few things most light spenders likely want out of their credit card — the first being not a lot of excess fees. If you’re not putting enough spend on a card to make up for an annual fee, why pay it?
Another key component of a great overall card for light spenders is flexibility in how you earn rewards. These cards can be used for everyday purchases and one-off expenses alike, offering the same solid rewards rate no matter where you spend.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
|
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
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$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- 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
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- 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
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0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
|
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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$0
|
Excellent, Good
|
- 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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, 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).
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N/A
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0% Intro APR Period 18 months on Balance Transfers
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19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good, Fair
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
Having trouble deciding between our top three overall cards? If you’re under the Chase 5/24 limit, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an easy choice, with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card as an alternative. If you’d rather have more rewards than an intro-APR offer, the Citi Double Cash® Card could be your winner.
While having a good unlimited rewards card in your wallet is definitely useful, you don’t have to forfeit the chance to maximize your rewards simply because of a small budget. You can still find quality category rewards cards without costly annual fees or huge spending requirements.
If you’re going for max rewards, be sure to pick the cards that best fit your spending habits. If you know you spend heavily at grocery stores and restaurants year-round, pick a card with set bonus rewards in those categories. For consumers with revolving needs, a rotating category card can offer a lot of opportunity to earn big.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
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$0
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Excellent/Good
|
This card is currently not available.
Best Overall Rating
★★★★★
N/A
Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
CASH BACK RATING
★★★★★
4.5
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
While category cards can be great for big rewards, be sure you know the restrictions and limitations of your card. For example, most cards with rotating categories require you to activate your new category each quarter to unlock bonus rewards on those purchases. Check the card’s rewards calendar — Chase and Discover each have separate calendars — ahead of time to see when you can activate your new category.
Additionally, many credit cards with bonus rewards categories have earning limits for those categories. This means you’ll only earn bonus rewards on category purchases up to the limit, with additional category purchases earning rewards at the default rate (typically 1% cash back).
Some of the most frequent perpetrators when it comes to expensive cards with big price tags are the travel rewards credit cards. Many of the top-tier travel cards have annual fees in excess of $400, and spending requirements well past the attainable for small-budget consumers.
Happily, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to earn free flights and hotel stays; a number of travel rewards credit cards offer the ability to earn enough points and miles with your everyday purchases to help make that next vacation an affordable reality.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.8
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
- No annual fee
- Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X 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
- 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
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0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
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19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good
|
EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- 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 18.24% - 28.24% 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.
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
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18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
While these travel rewards credit cards won’t give you the outrageous per-point value of the more expensive options, they also won’t cost you an arm and a leg in fees each year just to keep them in your wallet.
And you also get access to many of the best travel card perks, including paying no foreign transaction fees on purchases in a foreign currency. Plus, these cards all have good-sized signup bonuses with spending requirements that can fit into nearly any budget.
One of the key components to most credit card rewards strategies is taking advantage of the lucrative signup bonuses most cards now offer. At the same time, the signup bonus spending requirements can reach into the thousands of dollars.
Given that most signup bonuses have 90-day limits, large requirements simply aren’t attainable for light spenders. But while not as lucrative as the big-budget bonuses, plenty of good credit cards offer valuable signup bonuses with much more reasonable spending requirements.
This card is currently not available.
Best Overall Rating
★★★★★
N/A
Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- 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
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- 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
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0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
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19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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$0
|
Excellent, Good
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.9
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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|
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Before you start swiping hither and thither to meet your new card’s bonus, be sure you read the fine print. Know exactly how much you need to spend to become eligible for the bonus, as well as how long you have to reach the required spending amount.
You should also note any exceptions to eligible spend. For example, balance transfers and cash advances rarely count toward signup bonus spending requirements. Additionally, requirements are typically calculated via net spend, so returned/refunded purchases generally won’t count.
Perhaps the epitome of light spenders, most college students have notoriously slim budgets better spent on food, shelter, and textbooks than high credit card fees and sky-high spending requirements.
Of course, given that the typical college student likely has both a limited budget and limited credit, the best options are often going to be student credit cards. These cards offer good rewards and fair interest rates.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.5
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- 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 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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0% Intro APR for 6 months
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10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
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18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
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$0
|
Fair/New to Credit
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- 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 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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0% Intro APR for 6 months
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10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
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18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
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$0
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Fair/New to Credit
|
One thing to keep in mind as a student applicant is that the law requires that all credit card applicants be at least 18 years of age. Additionally, credit card applicants under the age of 21 must demonstrate an independent source of income to be approved for a credit card on their own.
The only exception to this rule is for those applicants who have an adult cosigner with good credit. Cosigners agree to take on the responsibility of repaying the debt if the primary cardholder cannot, so use caution when deciding to become a cosigner.
Although many people — and credit card issuers — may associate businesses with huge cash flow and six-digit budgets, the typical small business is often a lot smaller than people think. Unfortunately, many business credit cards have annual fees and high spending requirements designed for companies with lots of expenses.
Many — but not all. Some credit card issuers understand the unique financial needs of small businesses with light expenses, and they’ve designed several business credit cards better suited to companies that want to avoid high fees while still earning valuable rewards.
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.6
- 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
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
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0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
|
N/A
|
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.6
- 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
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0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
|
N/A 12 months
|
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.7
- 0% Intro APR for the first 12 months; 21.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
- Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
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0% for 12 months
|
N/A
|
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Good
|
Selecting the right credit card for your business may first start with finding the best cards for your bottom line, but don’t forget to find the rewards that best fit your business’s spending needs, too. For example, if your business spends the bulk of its budget on office supplies, it can be worthwhile to get a card that earns extra on those purchases.
If your expenses don’t fit neatly into a single category, however, go with a flat-rate unlimited rewards card that’ll give you a solid return on every purchase. For some businesses, pairing a bonus category credit card with a flat-rate rewards card can generate the most value; select two cards without annual fees to ensure you’re not cutting into your savings.
Paging through the credit card blogs can be a great way to find awesome tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your credit cards, as well as great ways to use your rewards for the best value. But don’t let the click-worthy stories of free luxury trips lure you down the path of spending more than you can afford to repay.
You don’t need to blow your budget to get great value out of your credit cards, nor do you need to put yourself into debt to earn a good signup bonus. Tons of options are out there for light spenders who want a great credit card experience that suits their low-limit lifestyles.
Of course, always remember to only charge what you can afford to repay by the time the bill comes due. Carrying a balance on a credit card is rarely a good idea, as interest charges can quickly turn small purchases into big expenses. If you’re already on a limited budget, adding unnecessary interest fees can easily take you off course.
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CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
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