The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, November 9, 2024

What Credit Card is Best for Me? Expert Guide (2023)

What Credit Card Is Best For Me
Ashley Fricker

Writer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

When people learn that you write about consumer credit for a living, the conversation seems to almost inevitably circle around to, “So, what’s the best credit card?” Unfortunately, people are rarely happy with the true response, which is: there isn’t one.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of credit credits on the market, each with its pros and cons, its own costs and rewards. Furthermore, there are millions of credit cardholders out there, too — each with their own wants, needs, and spending habits.

In the end, if you find yourself chatting with someone in-the-know, the question to ask isn’t, “What’s the best credit card?” Instead, what you really need to know is, “What credit card is best for me?” With that being said, let’s explore a variety of our picks for some of the top credit cards available today, including cards for a variety of credit scores, competitive APRs, appealing rewards, and more.

Find Cards By: Credit Score | APR | Rewards | Specialty

A Quick 4-Question Quiz to Narrow Your Card Options

As with many things in consumer culture, credit cards are often designed and marketed with a specific demographic in mind. This may be a certain credit score or income range, or a particular type of card user. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card is a rewards card that targets travelers with high incomes by offering big bonus rewards on travel-related purchases but charging a high annual fee.

To find the best credit card for you, the first step will be to decide on your wants and needs, and then determine into which demographic they likely fall. You can narrow down your options fairly significantly by taking a look at your credit and spending habits, then answering the four questions below.

  • 1. Is your FICO credit score below 670? One of the most important factors determining whether you are approved for a particular credit card will be your credit score. Those with good to excellent credit — FICO scores of 670 and above — will typically be able to qualify for just about any consumer card (though higher credit scores will generally earn higher credit limits). If your credit score is below 670, you’ll find the best luck getting approved for cards if you apply for those specifically aimed at your credit score range.
  • 2. Do you tend to carry a balance from month to month? Most credit cardholders tend to fall into one of two groups: those who compulsively pay off their balance every month, and those who tend to carry a balance from month to month. Since interest charges are one of the biggest costs associated with using a credit card, balance-carriers should consider a card designed just for them, i.e., one that comes with an introductory 0% interest rate offer or low ongoing APR.
  • 3. Do you make most of your purchases at the same places? With so many credit cards on the market today, one of the easiest ways to choose one over another is by picking a card that offers the rewards best suited to your personal spending habits. For instance, if a large portion of your budget goes to groceries each month, a card that offers bonus rewards for grocery store purchases may be the best fit. Keep the redemption options in mind, as well; if you know you won’t bother with a complicated points redemption process, for example, get cash back instead.
  • 4. Are you a business owner or student? For business owners or students, the process of narrowing down a credit card may be the simplest of all. That’s because many issuers have specialty cards aimed at these specific users, both in terms of qualifying requirements as well as card perks and purchase rewards.

While no individual question or answer will likely point you to a single card, answering each question can help you put together a short list of options. Things like the credit requirements, rewards, and APR can all contribute to choosing a specific card — but you may also want to consider a few other factors, too, including extraneous fees and the processing network.

Find the Right Card for Your Credit Score

Contrary to popular belief, the typical consumer doesn’t have a single credit score; they can have dozens of credit scores, which can vary based on the credit bureaus supplying the information and the specific model used to calculate the score. Of them all, the FICO Score 8 is the most frequently used scoring model by far, though the credit bureau(s) used will vary by credit card issuer.

The FICO Score 8 operates on a range of scores from 300 to 850, with 850 being the highest possible credit score — and, thus, the most desirable. Although 300 is technically the lowest possible score, few subprime consumers have scores this low, instead typically scoring in the low to mid 500s. Your credit score is considered “poor” if it falls below 580.

Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | No/Limited

Best Cards for “Excellent” Credit

FICO credit scores of 740 and above are generally dubbed as “excellent,” and they show that you can responsibly handle credit. Since those with excellent credit tend to get their pick of credit cards (and other financial products), perhaps the only downside to having excellent credit is that it won’t really help you narrow down the field of card options.

With the full field of awesome rewards cards and lengthy intro-APR offers available, finding the best card means moving on to Questions 2, 3, and 4. Find the rewards that best match your individual spending habits and redemption preferences, or the card with the lowest APR if you often carry a balance. Our favorite cards for excellent credit cover the gamut of rewards and benefits.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

+See More Cards for Excellent Credit

Best Cards for “Good” Credit

With credit scores between 670 and 739, good-credit consumers have nearly as many options as their excellent-credit counterparts, albeit often with lower credit limits. While some cards aimed specifically at those with excellent credit may be out of reach, the rest of the prime credit card market will typically be up for grabs.

While the same basic advice applies to good-credit applicants as excellent-credit ones — i.e., use Questions 2, 3, and 4 to better narrow the options — you may want to pay special attention to the APRs charged by each card. Those with good credit will generally receive higher interest rates than those with excellent credit, particularly as you get closer to the bottom end of the range.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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! 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.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • 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 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good
GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

+See More Cards for Good Credit

Best Cards for “Fair” Credit

Not quite poor credit but not quite good, credit scores between 580 and 669 fall into the “fair” credit score range. Like their scores, these consumers exist in a bit of a middle ground, with the potential to qualify for a limited array of prime credit cards — but by a narrow margin.

Selecting a card with fair credit will definitely start by identifying cards designed for credit-builders, be it a flexible prime credit card or a subprime card. Pay special attention to any annual, processing, and/or maintenance fees, as well as the APR charged by the card, to keep your costs down as you build credit. And of course, building credit is an essential step in planning for the future and moving up into the next tier of “good” credit consumers. This will open up more card options for you and potentially make you eligible for lower interest rates and better rewards offerings.

FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • 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 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.
  • 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 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit
FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited

+See More Cards for Fair Credit

Best Cards for “Poor” Credit

Whether from defaulted accounts, multiple late payments, maxed out credit cards, or a bankruptcy discharge — or some combination of them all — when a credit score drops below 580, it is in the “poor” credit range. Since most creditors are wary of the credit risk presented by poor-credit applicants, perhaps the only useful thing about poor credit is that it definitely helps to narrow down the options.

The cards likely to approve someone with poor credit all tend to have a catch. Secured credit cards are the easiest to get but require a deposit to open and use. Unsecured card options are limited to closed-loop store cards that can only be used on branded purchases, and subprime credit cards that will likely charge high fees and interest rates. Start comparing with our top-rated cards.

Milestone® Mastercard® Review

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
3.8/5.0
  • Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
  • Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
  • Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
  • $0 liability* for unauthorized use
  • Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
  • *Fraud protection provided by Mastercard Zero Liability Protection. If approved, you'll receive the Mastercard Guide to Benefits that details the complete terms with your card.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
See terms
See terms
Fair/Good
PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
3.0/5.0
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • Credit Limit Increase Eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
  • We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
See Provider Website
See Provider Website
Fair/Poor
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • No credit check to apply
  • Adjustable credit limit based on what you transfer from your Chime Checking account to the secured deposit account
  • No interest* or annual fees
  • To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account. See official application, terms, and details link below.
  • The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by The Bankcorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
  • *Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
$0
None

+See More Cards for Bad Credit

Best Cards for “No/Limited” Credit

Although some confusion may exist around the origins of your credit profile, you aren’t born with one nor is it automatically established by turning 18. Instead, it takes about six months of credit use — such as with a credit card or loan — to build enough credit history for a FICO credit score to be calculated.

Credit card issuers will be wary of extending you significant credit before you establish enough credit history for a credit score. While not as limited as those for poor credit, the selection of cards available to those with no/limited credit will likely resemble that of those with fair credit. Similarly, keep an eye on APRs and extraneous fees to reduce your credit-building costs.

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • No credit check to apply
  • Adjustable credit limit based on what you transfer from your Chime Checking account to the secured deposit account
  • No interest* or annual fees
  • To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account. See official application, terms, and details link below.
  • The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by The Bankcorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
  • *Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
$0
None
NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.6/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

+See More Cards for No/Limited Credit

Find the Right Card for Your Interest Rate Needs

Although every potential credit card applicant should look at the APR charged by a new credit card, those with fair, poor, or limited credit will have fewer options for finding low interest rates than those with good credit or better. Consumers with higher credit scores, on the other hand, can use a card’s APR as a deciding factor when selecting the best credit card.

In particular, two main aspects of a card’s APR may be of interest: the introductory APR and the ongoing APR. Many credit cards will come with an introductory APR offer, the best of which offer 0% APR for the duration of the promotional period. Once any intro period expires, the ongoing APR will determine what interest rate is charged for purchases carried from month to month.

0% New Purchases | 0% Balance Transfers | Low Ongoing APR

Best Cards for 0% Intro-APR on New Purchases

At most times, making large purchases with your credit card that you can’t repay right away is a horrible idea. Interest charges will start to accrue after the grace period passes, and those charges can get quite expensive over time. However, there is a solution: an introductory 0% APR offer, which can provide six months or more of interest-free purchases.

The better your credit score, the better the intro-APR offer you can obtain, with offers of up to 18 months available to well-qualified applicants. Keep in mind that any balance remaining when your promotional period is over will start to accrue interest according to the card’s default new purchase interest rate. See some of our favorite offers below.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
  • $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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

+See More Cards for 0% APR on New Purchases

Best Cards for 0% Intro-APR on Balance Transfers

Introductory APR offers for new purchases can be convenient when you have a large purchase coming up, but what about those who have already accumulated a balance on their cards? That’s where balance transfer introductory offers can be handy. By transferring your balance from high-interest card to one with a 0% APR introductory offer, you can enjoy a number of interest-free months to pay down your balance.

The main thing to consider when it comes to intro-APR offers for balance transfers — other than the fact that introductory offers eventually expire — is that balance transfers often come with balance transfer fees. While the occasional card without balance transfer fees does exist, many intro-APR offers may be worth the transfer fee.

0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% 12 months on Purchases
0% 21 months on Balance Transfers
17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Discover it® Chrome Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.8/5.0
  • 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! 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.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • 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.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
0% Intro APR for 18 months
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.8/5.0
  • 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).
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% 18 months on Balance Transfers
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent/Good/Fair

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

+See More Cards for 0% APR on Balance Transfers

Best Cards for Low Ongoing APRs

As valuable as intro-APR offers can be for reducing or eliminating interest payments on new purchases and balance transfers, these offers are, of course, temporary. If you’re likely to carry a balance on your credit card for more than just the first year or so, then an introductory offer will only be so useful. The focus for these consumers should be finding a card that offers a low APR all the time.

The trick here is twofold. One, build your credit. The better your credit score, the lower the average interest rate you’re offered. And two, find a card with a lower overall APR range. For example, a card with an APR range of 10% to 15% will always offer lower APRs than one with a range of 16% to 21%. The cards below offer lower APRs than many of their competitors.

USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card Review

at Usaa Savings'ssecure website

LOW APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.4/5.0
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers and Convenience Checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. After this time, the Variable Regular APR will apply to your balance.
  • Our lowest-rate card: Pay less in interest if you carry a balance from month to month
  • Travel benefits include Auto Rental Coverage, Travel Accident Insurance, Baggage Delay and Reimbursement, and Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
  • No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
  • This offer is only open to members of military-affiliated groups and their families
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% for 15 Months
9.15% - 26.15% (Variable)
$0
Good to Excellent
Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

LOW APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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! 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.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • 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 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

LOW APR RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.0/5.0
  • Extended Warranty With Warranty Manager Service
  • No annual fee, balance transfer fee, or cash advance fees
  • Must meet eligibility criteria to join Digital Federal Credit Union
  • Fraud notifications and the ability to freeze/unfreeze your credit card
  • When you add your DCU credit or debit card to your Mobile Wallet and make a purchase, your personal information is encrypted – so even if retailer is hacked, your cards won’t be compromised
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
As low as 13.75%
$0
Average/Good

+See More Cards for Low Ongoing APRs

Find the Right Rewards Credit Card for You

At the heart of the modern credit card lover is often a consumer who loves to save. That’s because credit card rewards can be a valuable way to save with every swipe, earning you purchase rebates, free travel, and/or remarkable experiences for your everyday spending.

And that’s where you should start narrowing down your rewards card selections: the type of rewards you want to earn. If you like things simple, a cash back rewards card can provide straightforward savings. On the other hand, frequent flyers and hotel jockeys will often appreciate a good travel rewards card, and those who want the best of both worlds tend to prefer a flexible points credit card.

Cash Back | Travel | Points

Best Cards for “Cash Back” Rewards

Cash back rewards are typically the simplest type of rewards to redeem, with options for redemption as a statement credit or as a deposit into an eligible bank account (typically accounts held with the issuing bank). As simple as they are to redeem, however, cash back rewards can be as complex as any rewards type when it comes to maximizing your earnings.

While most cash back cards will offer an unlimited flat rewards rate, usually 1% to 2% on all purchases, some cards will also offer a higher rewards rate for purchases made in specific bonus categories. So, if your regular spending falls into the same categories each month, choosing a card that rewards you for those categories will net you the best rewards. Otherwise, an unlimited flat-rate card can still be a valuable savings tool.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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! 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.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • 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 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
CASH BACK RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
19.99% - 28.74% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

+See More Cards for Cash Back Rewards

Best Cards for “Travel” Rewards

As with cash back rewards, travel rewards come as either single, unlimited flat-rate rewards, or as bonus rewards for category-specific purchases. But while cash back rewards are almost always fairly straightforward to redeem, travel rewards can have as much — or as little — complication as you like.

For example, some travel cards will have cash-back-like redemption as a flat-rate statement credit for travel-related purchases. However, other programs will have a variable redemption value based on how you redeem them, with options for direct redemption via a travel portal or through a transfer to an eligible hotel or airline partner. Our top cards include a mix of both redemption types.

AIR MILES RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good
AIR MILES RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.8/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good
AIR MILES RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
$395
Excellent

+See More Cards for Travel Rewards

Best Cards for “Points” Rewards

Credit cards that earn rewards points are essentially a combination of cash back and travel rewards cards, with a little extra thrown into the mix. Like the other rewards cards, you can earn points at a single, unlimited rate, or at a bonus rate for specific category purchases.

Unlike the other card types, generic rewards points can be redeemed for anything from cash back to travel — and a few things in between. The per-point value of your rewards will depend on how you redeem them, with cash typically providing the lowest value and travel redemption the highest. Many points cards, including our expert picks, also come with lucrative signup bonuses.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

POINTS & GIFTS RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

POINTS & GIFTS RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. 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.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent
POINTS & GIFTS RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent

+See More Cards for Rewards Points

Find the Right Specialty Card for You

While all credit cardholders have their own needs, some have more specific needs than others. In particular, business owners and students both need certain things out of their credit cards that may not be offered by the bulk of the field, making it even more important for these users to find just the right card.

On the bright side, many issuers have developed cards with these specialty groups in mind, offering a range of business-centered and student-focused cards. And if you can narrow your list to these specific types of cards, you can use Questions 1 through 3 to pick the perfect one off the short list of potential fits.

Businesses | Students

Best Cards for Businesses

From advertising costs to shipping expenses, business owners tend to have expenses that regular consumers simply don’t even consider, let alone have the need to earn rewards for them. Designed for business owners, business credit cards often cater to these unique needs, offering rewards for things like office supplies and digital marketing that can help bolster your business’s bottom line.

Even better, business credit cards have a secret superpower: the ability to help your business establish and build business credit. As with the consumer credit world, the business credit world relies on a solid credit history to judge whether to lend to your business in the future. A good business credit card, like our favorites, can two-birds your business finances and credit, all while earning you lucrative rewards.

BUSINESS CARD RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.6/5.0
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
17.99% - 23.99% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent
BUSINESS CARD RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
25.74% (Variable)
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Excellent, Good
BUSINESS CARD RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
  • Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
17.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent

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Best Cards for Students

Being a student can be both a great adventure — and a great challenge. To start, college students aren’t typically the most well-paid workers (meals of ramen noodles and mac & cheese are the stereotypical staples of college life for a very good reason), nor do they generally have very well-established credit profiles. Combined, these attributes mean students can’t apply for just any old credit card.

Happily, the credit card industry isn’t without sympathy for the credit plights of students. A number of issuers offer credit cards specially designed for students who want to establish and build credit — without paying an arm and a leg in annual fees. What’s more, many student cards, including our options below, include valuable purchase rewards.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

STUDENT RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.5/5.0
  • 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 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.
  • 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 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit
STUDENT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.6/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
Discover it® Student Chrome Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

STUDENT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.0/5.0
  • 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 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

+See More Cards for Students

Audit Your Cards Regularly to Ensure You Have the Best Ones

As anyone who works in an advisory capacity knows, most people can’t help but ask for a professional opinion when they get the chance. But, as is also well known, the quality of the advice you get from someone often depends on the quality of you the questions you ask.

For example, should you ask a credit card expert to tell you about the best credit card, you’ll often get mixed results. That’s because few things are so cut-and-dry in personal finance — hence the “personal” part of the term. To get a quality answer about the best credit cards, the proper question to ask is, “What is the best credit card for me?”

Additionally, since the best credit card for an individual depends on their specific needs and spending habits, it’s important to regularly re-evaluate your current credit card collection. Our specific financial needs and habits tend to change over time, just as we do, meaning the best card for you today may not be the best card next year.

You should perform an annual audit of your credit cards — preferably before any annual fees are charged for the year — to ensure you have the best cards for your current needs and that you aren’t paying for cards you don’t use. If you haven’t used a card lately and/or can find a card with significantly better rewards, you should consider upgrading your card.

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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.