credit card advice
Between gas, lunch, and that mid-afternoon pick-me-up, chances are good you pull out your trusty credit card several times a day to make a purchase. But despite the fact that many of us look at our credit cards on a daily basis, the sad fact is that most of those little plastic cards are downright boring to behold.
Most — but not all.
While a number of credit card issuers provide few, if any, design options for everyday credit cards, that’s not the case for all issuers. Some credit card issuers offer cards that come with a wide range of graphic and color options, customizable image uploads, or fashionable designs that make a real statement.
Capital One | Discover | Chase
Best Picks for Cute Capital One Credit Cards
As one of the youngest of the major credit card issuers, it makes sense that Capital One might be a little more fashion-forward than some of its centenarian counterparts. Moreover, Capital One puts the design power in your hands, allowing cardholders to customize their graphics through the Capital One Image Card design studio.
Not only can users select from a large catalog of available graphics, but they can also upload their own images for a completely personalized card. And if you want a fashionable credit card that feels more substantial, the bank’s popular travel option, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card, is available to new cardholders in a sleek metal finish that is sure to raise a few eyebrows.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere
- Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 19.24% (Variable) | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | Excellent, Good |
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.99% - 25.24% (Variable) | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | Excellent, Good |
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 14.24% - 24.24% variable APR after that
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 12 months | N/A | 14.24% - 24.24% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
Customizing your Capital One credit card is remarkably easy, and the entire process can be completed online through your Capital One account. Simply sign into your online account and select “Change Image On Card” from the drop-down Services menu. You’ll be taken to the design studio where you can select a graphic from the available options or upload your own image.
Once you’ve finished your edits to make the image just right, Capital One will review your design to ensure it doesn’t violate any of its guidelines. As long as your submitted design doesn’t violate copyright or contain prohibited or controversial subject matter, Capital One will send it to the printers. You should receive your new, customized card in a matter of weeks.
Best Picks for Cute Discover Credit Cards
The pioneer of credit card cash back rewards, Discover has also long offered cardholders a variety of designs to customize their Discover rewards cards. Discover it® cardholders can choose from a collection of more than 40 credit card designs that include thing like a fun and retro mixtape and a relaxing tropical island.
If graphic designs aren’t your cup of tea, you can choose from a variety of textured solids with a classic finish inspired by brushed nickel. The color palate is broad, with names inspired by nature, including charcoal, copper, gold, garnet, quartz, ocean, spruce, raspberry, and plum.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 0% for 14 months | 14.24% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. based customer service.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 6 months | 0% for 18 months | 14.24% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. That’s $700 towards travel!
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases all with no annual fee.
- No Blackout Dates - fly any airline, stay at any hotel.
- Redeem your Miles as a statement credit towards travel purchases.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 10.99% for 14 months | 14.24% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
As the official credit card of the National Hockey League, Discover also offers specialty card designs for hockey lovers. Cardholders can choose a card featuring the NHL logo, or they can pick from any team in the league to show off their team pride. All NHL® Discover it® cards include the team (or league) logo over a styled background in the team colors (the logo card is grey).
If you already have a Discover it® card and want to choose a new card design, you can do so easily online through your Discover account. Simply log into your account and head to the “Manage My Card” section. Here, you’ll be able to choose to order an additional card or to order a card to replace your current one — either of which is free — then you can pick your preferred card design. New cards should arrive in the mail within four to six business days.
Best Picks for Cute Chase Credit Cards
While most everyone loves an adorable family photo or cute-as-can-be puppy at play, sometimes you may want something a little more refined than Fido’s drool-covered face on your credit card. True to its reputation as an issuer of some of the top credit cards on the market, Chase doesn’t try to out-cute its credit card competitors; instead, the bank has two high-fashion cards that make a lasting impression.
In particular, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, offer fashionable, classic styles in sophisticated metal finishes that look — and feel — both solid and luxurious. Although these cards won’t make you, “Awww!” at the cuteness, coming in at a hefty 13 grams, they may make you (and everyone else), “Oooh!” at the fantastic design.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Named "Best Premium Travel Credit Card" for 2018 by MONEY® Magazine
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 19.24% - 26.24% Variable | $450 | Good/Excellent |
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred named "Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption" - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2018
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 18.24% - 25.24% Variable | $95 | Good/Excellent |
As awesome as their metallic finishes are, however, the looks of these two fashionable Chase credit cards aren’t the only things premium about them. The more affordable of the two, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, is a popular travel option for mid-budget travelers who want to enjoy the flexibility of Ultimate Rewards points.
And the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is widely considered a top premium travel credit card. With the Reserve, you can not only earn an impressive 3X points per $1 on travel and dining purchases, but also receive airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select, an annual travel credit, and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
What Does Your Credit Card Design Say About You?
Other than our phones and keys, our credit cards are likely the items that we take everywhere. That being the case, it’s little surprise that so many of us want our credit cards to have a little style, a bit of pizazz, or that je ne sais quoi that really sets it apart from every other boring old credit card in the store.
While it’s certainly not a great idea to choose your credit card solely for how it looks (that advice applies to selecting shoes, cars, and romantic partners, too, FYI) a card’s “Wow!” factor can often be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing between cards with similar rates and rewards. So, what does your credit card’s design say about you?
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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