Our top picks for cash back, travel perks, balance transfers, students and more.
Finder’s credit card experts spent over 450 hours reviewing more than 500 credit cards to determine which cards are best in their respective categories for 2023. Our rankings are based on factors such as reward rates and redemption opportunities for reward cards, and intro period length and revert interest rates for 0% APR cards. Unlike our competitors, Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all credit cards and providers, not only those we partner with on the site.
When choosing this year’s top travel cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including annual fees, foreign transaction fees, airline or hotel brands, welcome offers, reward opportunities, redemption options and other features a consumer might consider in a travel card. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
With a generous welcome offer and hundreds of dollars worth of statement credits alongside the card's other travel benefits, this card is a tempting pick even if you don't travel frequently.
Pros
Welcome offer. Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening.
Earn miles. Earn 10X miles on hotel and car rental purchases made through Capital One travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases. You can redeem these miles through Capital One and even transfer them to travel partners.
Numerous credits. You'll receive up to $300 back in statement credits each year when you book through Capital One Travel and 10,000 miles each card account anniversary starting on your first anniversary. These two perks alone pay for the cost of the card.
Cons
Not all travel partners transfer at 1:1 ratios. Most, but not all, of Capital One's travel partners allow for 1:1 transferring of your miles.
No intro APR. You won't find an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers with this luxury card.
Annual fee
$395
Purchase APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening
This card offers 2x miles on every purchase, which is the highest flat-rate travel card you can find. Similar cards offer 1.5x miles and they rarely offer additional perks like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit.
Pros
Reward miles. Earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases. Also earn 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Signup bonus. Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, or still earn miles after you spend in your first. This is up to a $750 value if you earn the full bonus.
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. Get up to $100 statement credit when you use your card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Cons
Annual fee. You'll pay a $95 annual fee for this card.
No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases with this card.
Annual fee
$95
Purchase APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
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
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the most rewarding no-annual-fee travel cards you can get. With up to 5% cash back on purchases at the Chase Travel Portal and an unlimited 1.5% back on all other purchases, it's hard to find a better alternative. For perspective, this card earns more on Chase travel than even the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase's luxury travel card.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery service, on drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® where you can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards and more.
Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
Special Offer. Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Foreign transaction fee
3% of the transaction value
Welcome Offer
Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back on purchases made through the Chase travel portal, as well as 5% back on rotating quarterly categories. This is a comparable or even greater rewards rate you earn with several premium travel cards on the market. But unlike the $500 annual fee you pay with these cards, the Freedom Flex has a $0 annual fee.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual travel credit with no airline or hotel restrictions. This shaves down a significant portion of the card's annual fee, leaving you with just $250 to make up for in perks. This is also higher than several competitor premium cards that offer either $200 or $250 in credit, or limit your use of the credit to specific purchases or fees.
Pros
Annual travel credit. Get $300 in statement credit as reimbursement for your travel purchases every year on your card account anniversary.
Signup bonus. Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account. This is worth $900 if you redeem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Rewards points. Earn 5x points on flights booked through Chase, 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, 3x points on Chase Dining, 3x points on all other travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases. These points are worth 50% more when redeemed through the Chase travel portal.
Cons
Annual fee. You'll pay $550 annual fee for the card.
No intro APR period. Like many other travel cards, you won't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both.
Excellent credit score required. Being a premium card, your chances of approval greatly increase with a credit score of 740 or higher.
Annual fee
$550
Purchase APR
22.49% to 29.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
The IHG® One Rewards Premier offers up to 26x total points on IHG purchases, which comes to around 13% back. You also get a free night on your card anniversary each year and fourth free night when you book with points. Most hotel cards get you between 5% and 10% back on hotel purchases and rarely give out free reward nights.
Pros
Rewards points. Earn 26x total points on IHG purchases, 5x points on travel, gas stations and restaurants, and 3x points on all other purchases.
Limited time offer. Earn 140,000 points once you spend $3,000 in your first 3 months of card membership. Combined with the fourth-night-free perk, the signup bonus can easily get you 20 or more rewards nights.
Free nights. Get your fourth night free every time you redeem your points for four or more nights. Plus, every card anniversary, you'll get one free rewards night.
Cons
Annual fee. The card comes with an $99 annual fee. But the card easily pays off as long as you stay at IHG hotels at least few times a year.
No intro APR period. You won't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers, but this is standard with this type of card.
Annual fee
$99
Purchase APR
21.49% to 28.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
One of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card's eligible spending categories for 5% is gas stations. And while you would be dedicating the card's top spending categories purely to gas, this rate is higher than the 4% you'll find on other dedicated gas cards. Best of all, you can easily earn this same rate on another eligible category if you don't think you'll be driving much for a given month, ensuring the card's value doesn't go to waste
Pros
Flexible rewards. The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns 5% back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 that cycle. After meeting the cap you’ll earn 1% back until the next billing cycle. Eligible categories are grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, drugstores, live entertainment, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, travel, transit and streaming services.
Signup bonus. The card’s $200 bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months is higher than the average you’d find on a 5% cashback card.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
High penalty APR. Missing payments on this card can result in a hefty penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable.
Foreign transaction fees. This card isn’t great for travelers abroad. You’ll pay 3% on transactions made outside of the US.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.99% to 28.99% variable)
Foreign transaction fee
3% of the transaction value
Welcome Offer
$200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. Fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back
Where most credit cards offer a simple signup bonus, the Discover it® Miles offers something better: a cashback match. In other words, Discover matches all the miles you earn during the year, without limits. Depending on your gas needs, this can result in a hefty bonus for the following year well worth springing for and possibly even eclipsing some of the stronger bonuses on the market.
Pros
Rewards. A flat rate for all purchases. Earn 1.5x miles on everything you buy. Redeem miles for statement credit.
Intro APR. 0% for 15 months following your account opening on purchases. After that, your purchase APR will be 16.99% to 27.99% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
Mile match. Discover will match all the miles you have earned at the end of your first year.
Cons
No 0% APR on balance transfers. You only get 0% intro APR on purchases, but not on balance transfers.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.99% to 27.99% variable)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
Discover will match miles earned at the end of your first card year
When choosing this year’s top cashback cards, we looked at several factors, including cashback rewards gained per dollar spent, available cashback categories, welcome offers, intro APR periods and other card perks or benefits. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
New earning categories added to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have elevated this card to new heights. You'll earn great cash back no matter where you spend. And if you want to improve the value of this card further, you can move your rewards over to a Chase Sapphire card as part of the Chase Trifecta.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery service, on drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® where you can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards and more.
Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
Special Offer. Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Welcome Offer
Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ gained several new flat-rate earning categories within the last few years. This bolsters the card's earning potential year round, even on non-rotating categories. And like the Unlimited, you can choose to move your rewards to a Chase Sapphire card to bolster your redemption value.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card offers a similar consumer-friendly take on credit building as the Petal 2, though explicitly designed for those with poor credit. While it lacks the flat cash back rate of the Petal 2, it still offers between 2% and 10% cash back at select merchants, a rarity on cards designed for poor credit.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
High potential credit limit. Your minimum credit limit starts at $300 and goes as high as $5,000, which is greater than average for a credit-building card.
Reports to all three credit bureaus. Petal will report your credit activity to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Cons
High APR. The Petal 1's APR ranges from 25.24% to 34.74% variable.
Fees. Unlike the Petal 2, this card carries fees, including late payment fees.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the market-standard for family reward cards, as it offers a great mix of accessibility and reward potential on everyday purchases for a low annual fee. Even with a $6,000 spending cap, the 6% back on U.S. supermarkets is unmatched by any other card.
Pros
Welcome offer. Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases during your first 6 months of card membership.
Earn cash back. Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year. After that, you'll earn 1% back. You'll also earn 6% on select U.S. streaming services and 3% on transit purchases. At U.S. gas stations, you'll earn 3% back. For all other eligible purchases, you'll get 1% back.
Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99% applies.
Cons
Annual fee. The card comes with a $95 annual fee after the first year intro.
Cashback cap on groceries. Your 6% cashback rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped on up to $6,000 each year, and 1% after that.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Welcome Offer
$250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
While more cards are offering grocery rewards in today's market, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express still offers one of the best rates available for groceries at no cost and is a great pick for families.
Pros
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. The intro APR on purchases and balance transfers can help with holiday spending or other family needs. Get a 0% intro APR period for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 19.24% to 29.99% variable.
Earn cash back. Earn 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Plus 3% on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that.
Welcome offers. You'll earn $200 as statement credit when you use your card to make $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
Cons
Cap on 3% cashback categories. Your accelerated rates in these categories only last until you spend $6,000 in each category, each year.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card was born from the evolving spending habits of consumers throughout the pandemic and focuses on flexibility. It essentially earns the big rewards you'd expect from a rotating category cashback card without putting the burden of category juggling on the cardholder. This flexibility and generosity is something we expect to see from more reward cards moving forward and it earns the Citi Custom Cash a spot on our list.
Pros
Flexible rewards. The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns 5% back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 that cycle. After meeting the cap you’ll earn 1% back until the next billing cycle. Eligible categories are grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, drugstores, live entertainment, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, travel, transit and streaming services.
Signup bonus. The card’s $200 bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months is higher than the average you’d find on a 5% cashback card.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
High penalty APR. Missing payments on this card can result in a hefty penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable.
Foreign transaction fees. This card isn’t great for travelers abroad. You’ll pay 3% on transactions made outside of the US.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.99% to 28.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.99% to 28.99% variable) Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Welcome Offer
$200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. Fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back
The consumer-friendly Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card doesn't require a credit score, charges no fees and comes with up to 1.5% cash back to boot. In fact, the Petal 2 is one of the only cards on the market to offer this level of rewards without requiring a single fee. If you're new to credit, it's hard to find a more forgiving card.
Pros
Cashback rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. To reward responsible spending, that cashback value will be bumped to 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5 after 12 on-time monthly payments. The Petal 2 also earns 2% to 10% back at select retailers, including Gap, Old Navy, Casper and more.
No credit history required. If you have no credit score or limited credit history, your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments, may be analyzed to determine your eligibility. You can still apply if you already have a good credit history and you want to take advantage of the card’s generous fee structure.
No fees. There’s no annual, foreign transaction, overlimit or even late fees.
Cons
No intro APR period. Most cashback cards come with a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. Unfortunately, that’s one perk you won’t get with the Petal 2.
No signup bonus. Unlike many of its competitors that offer signup bonuses or introductory offers, Petal has no such offer.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a consistently valuable travel rewards card well-known for its luxury perks. One of those perks? A welcome offer worth up to $1,600 according to our valuations: among the best on the market. And while the card's annual fee is steep, the card's excellent statement credits and perks makes up for it.
Pros
Earn points. Earn 5x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. You can use your points toward gift cards, travel rewards, statement credit and more. Your 5x points on flights are capped on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after. On other eligible purchases, you'll earn 1x points.
Welcome offer. Earn 80,000 membership rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
Travel fee credit. Select a qualifying airline and earn up to a $200 airline fee statement credit each year on incidental charges, such as checked bags or in-flight purchases. Also earn up to $200 in statement credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay).
Cons
Annual fee. As a luxury card, the Amex Platinum Card requires a $695 annual fee for use.
Narrow reward categories. This card is only particularly strong at earning rewards on travel.
Potentially limited acceptance abroad. American Express cards are not as widely accepted worldwide as Visa or Mastercard.
Annual fee
$695
Purchase APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
80,000 points after spending $8,000 in your first 6 months
Despite the branding, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is the top gas card on the market, offering a stellar 4% back on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%). Of course, this card also offers cash back at Costco as well as restaurants and travel, making it a great card for families on the move that want to reinvest their rewards into Costco.
Pros
Annual fee. None with your paid Costco membership.
Rewards. Great cash back for several categories. Earn 4% cash back on your first $7,000 in eligible gas purchases (then 1%), 3% back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases, 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases and 1% back on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees. Use this card freely online with foreign merchants or abroad and you won't pay any foreign transaction fees.
Cons
Limited reward redemption. You can only redeem your rewards once every year.
No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfer, or a 0% deferred interest on Costco purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
19.99% variable Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
While you could find a card that earns higher rewards on groceries, the same card can't stand up to the suite of travel perks and benefits the Amex Gold Card offers. The card also earns an impressive rate on dining, making this a great card to carry with you and your family when traveling.
Pros
Reward points. Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, and 1x points after that. Earn 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 3x points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel. Other eligible purchases earn 1x points.
Welcome offer. Earn a 60,000 points welcome offer after you spend $6,000 within your first 6 months following your account opening.
Travel and dining credits. Earn up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, after enrollment. Get up to $10 in Uber Cash each month when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account.
Cons
Annual fee. Pay $250 annually to own the card.
No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
Annual fee
$250
Purchase APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
60,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months
When choosing this year’s top business credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, free employee cards, credit limit, reward opportunities, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best for rewards on office supplies, internet and phone
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
4.5
★★★★★
Finder score
The is a great card for earning rewards on ongoing business expenses thanks to a massive cashback rate on office supplies, Internet and phone services for your first $25,000 spent annually. No other business card on the market matches this rate. The card also offers cash back on gas and dining, making it a decent pick for business travel, too.
Pros
Cash back. Up to 5% cash back on business spending. Spending on Internet, cable and phone services earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend annually in combined purchases — and 1% after. In gas stations and restaurants, you’ll earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend annually in combined purchases — and 1% after. On everything else, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
Signup bonus. After you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account, you’ll earn $750 bonus cash back.
Annual fee. A $0 annual fee makes it easy to keep the card long-term and lets you keep all the rewards you earn.
Intro APR. 0% on purchases for the 12 months. For the first 12 months after opening your account, you’ll receive a 0% intro APR on purchases. After that, your purchase APR will be 18.49% to 24.49% variable.
Cons
Your intro APR expires after the 12 months. Once your intro APR expires, you’ll start accruing interest on all outstanding balances.
Penalty fees. You’ll pay fees of up to $40 if you make a late or returned payment.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.49% to 24.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
18.49% to 24.49% variable
Welcome Offer
$750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Welcome Offer
$750
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Best business credit card for signup bonus
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
4.4
★★★★★
Finder score
While the Business Platinum Card from Amex sports a high welcome offer, it falls short of the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card card's welcome offer. Spend $8,000 in your first 3 months and you'll earn an astounding 100,000 points. This can be worth up to $1,250, making it a great windfall for business investments.
Pros
Signup bonus. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months when you open your account. This can be worth $1,250 when you redeem your points through Chase Travel℠.
Reward points. Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 spent per year in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. After reaching the cap and on all other purchases, you earn 1x points.
Points transfer. You can transfer your points in 1:1 ratio with Chase's travel partners, including British Airways, Southwest Airlines, IHG hotels and Marriott.
Cons
Annual fee. The card costs $95 annually.
No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
Annual fee
$95
Purchase APR
21.24% to 26.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
21.24% to 26.24% variable
Welcome Offer
100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months
If you don't want to worry about keeping track of reward categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card keeps things simple. You can earn a respectable 1.5% back on all of your business purchases without worrying about spend requirements or juggling categories. The card also has a surprisingly robust welcome offer, letting you earn $750 after meeting the spend requirements. Most flat cashback credit card welcome offers hover in the $200 range, so this is a great deal for businesses.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $750 cash bonus after you spend $6,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account.
Intro APR period on purchases. Get 12 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases from the day you open your account. After that, a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49% applies.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.49% to 24.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
18.49% to 24.49% variable
Welcome Offer
$750 back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
Business cards with no personal guarantee have become more popular since 2020, thanks in part to the Brex card. By requiring no personal guarantee, the Brex Card protects your personal assets should your business go belly-up. You also get a unique rewards on select purchases. Coupled together, all of these features make for a card rewarding for startups and small businesses alike.
Pros
Rewards program. Earn 8x points on rideshares, including Uber, Lyft, taxis and scooter, 5x points on flights and hotels booked through Brex Travel, 4x points on restaurants, dining and eligible Apple products purchased through the Brex portal and 3x on recurring software purchases like Salesforce, Zendesk and Twilio. All other purchases earn 1x points.
No personal guarantee. Your startup may fail. With Brex Card, you are not personally liable for the card debt and you don't need a personal guarantee to be approved for the card.
Signup bonus. Get $300 after spending $3,500, or $500 after spending $9,000 on your Brex card within the first 30 days.
Cons
Can’t carry a balance. You must pay your full balance before your due date, which is 30 days after the close of your statement period.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
$300 after spending $3,500, or $500 after spending $9,000 on your Brex card within the first 30 days
The Ramp Visa® Commercial Card is the business card for startups on the block and offers an array of features that can help new businesses grow. Aside from a solid rewards rate, the Ramp Visa® Commercial Card analyzes your business spending to identify areas you can save.
Pros
Ramp savings. Ramp will analyze your business spending and identify areas where your business may save, such as by eliminating redundant software subscriptions.
Rewards. Earn a flat 1.5% cash back on purchases.
Cons
Charge card. Ramp Visa® Commercial Card is a charge card, which means you'll need to pay off your statement balance at the end of each month.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
4.4
★★★★★
Finder score
Being able to choose your highest rewards category is a great boon when running a business. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card lets you choose from several common business expenses, such as office supplies and travel, for your highest earn category of 3%. And for Business Platinum or Preferred Rewards members, the value of this card is even greater, cementing this card in the upper echelon of rewards cards.
Pros
Cash back. Choose one category each calendar month — gas stations, office supply stores, travel, telecom and wireless, computer services or business consulting services — to earn 3% cash back. Earn 2% cash back on dining. However, you are capped at $50,000 annually in combined purchases in both 2% and 3% categories. After that, and on all other purchases, earn 1% cash back.
Signup bonus. Receive $300 in statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days your account is open.
Cashback boost. With the Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program, you can boost your cashback rate up to 75%. This translates to 5.25% from 3% and 3.5% from 2%. All other purchases go up to 1.75% cash back.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. If you travel abroad often, you may want to use another card. This one charges a fee equal to 3% of the US dollar amount on all foreign transactions.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 9 billing cycles (then 18.49% to 28.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
18.49% to 28.49% variable
Welcome Offer
$300 online statement credit after making at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
With less balance transfer offers on the market than before, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum has become this year's best bet for business owners looking to consolidate debts. While the card doesn't offer a signup bonus or rewards, it doesn't charge an annual fee which makes it a comfy choice for businesses. And if you need to invest in your business, the card also comes with an intro APR on purchases.
Pros
No annual fee. There's no annual fee for employee cards either.
Intro APR. Receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 20 billing cycles. After that, your purchase and balance transfer APR will be 17.24% to 26.24% variable.
24/7 customer support. Get help with your card account from U.S. Bank's business specialists.
Cons
No signup bonus. Most cards come with a bonus once you meet certain spending criteria. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t have any bonuses.
Foreign transaction fee. Limit your credit card spending when traveling abroad to avoid paying a fee of 3% of the transaction. It may not seem like much, but it can quickly add up.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 20 billing cycles (then 17.24% to 26.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 20 billing cycles (then 17.24% to 26.24% variable)
Like its consumer counterpart, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is is all about luxury. You gain access to more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world, including access to the much praised Centurion Lounge.
Of course, this card also comes with other luxury perks, including hotel benefits, travel credits and more. The sum of these perks and features well outweigh the cost of the card, making this a great choice if your employees are constantly on the move abroad.
Pros
Global Lounge Collection. Get access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including the Centurion Lounge, International American Express lounges and Delta Sky Club when flying Delta. To get access to Priority Pass Select, Airspace and Escape lounges, you'll need to enroll first.
Welcome offer. Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in your first 3 months of card membership to earn 150,000 bonus points. This is one of the higher welcome offers on the market.
Membership rewards. Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and flights through Amex Travel, 1.5x points on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases.
Cons
High annual fee. This is one of the more expensive business cards with a $695 annual fee.
Annual fee
$695
Purchase APR
19.49% to 28.49% variable APR for Pay Over Time Feature
Welcome Offer
150,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 3 months
American Express's Plum Card offers a bit more flexibility than its other business offerings. So long as you pay at least 10% of your balance before the due date, Amex offers a 60-day grace period on interest. For businesses uncertain about their finances within their first few months, this extra grace period can help keep things afloat.
Pros
Long grace period. You'll enjoy a 60-day grace period on purchases, so long as you pay your minimum due by the listed due date.
Payment discounts. If you pay your balance off within 10 days of closing date, you'll receive a % discount on your payment.
No annual fee on additional cards. Any additional employee cards you use won't be charged an annual fee.
Cons
Pay your balance in full. While you have a 60-day grace period when used correctly, your balance must be paid in full before the end of that period.
High annual fee. The Plum Card has a surprisingly large annual fee of $250‡ after the intro year.
Annual fee
$250
Purchase APR
N/A - Take up to 60 days to pay with no interest, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date
When choosing this year’s top secured credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, required deposit, credit limit, reward opportunities, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
This card is unique in the secured card space because you may qualify to make a secured deposit lower than the amount you receive as a credit limit. This deposit requirement depends on your credit history though, so you're best suited to apply with fair or no credit.
Pros
No annual fee. This is one of the rare secured cards that has no annual fee.
Low security deposit. Deposit either $49, $99 or $200 based on your creditworthiness and you may receive a $200 credit line without having to put down a security deposit of the same amount.
Chance at a higher credit line. You'll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months after opening the card.
Cons
Secured deposit required. You must make a secured deposit to use the card.
No rewards. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases with this card.
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
$49, $99 or $200
Purchase APR
29.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
29.99% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
This card is designed to help you build credit while offering a low APR on purchases should you need to carry a balance. Notable is the fixed nature of the card's APR, meaning you don't have to worry about the APR changing down the line.
Pros
Build your credit. Synovus Bank reports to all three major credit agencies every month. With timely payments, you’ll build your credit score and can eventually apply for a better card.
Control your credit limit. The size of your credit limit is determined by your deposit. You can start with as little as $200 and go up to $2,000. With approval, you can add additional funds to your deposit and raise your credit limit up to $5,000, which is the maximum for this card.
No minimum credit score to apply. If you’ve just started your credit-building journey, or if you’ve had credit difficulties in the past and want to rebuild your credit, you can apply for the card without worrying about having a minimum score.
Low APR. The annual percentage rate for purchases made with this card is 15.24% variable. This is low when compared to other cards, some of which can have APRs up to 26%.
Cons
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $49, which will be applied to your balance.
Foreign transaction fee. If you use this card when traveling abroad, you’ll pay an additional 3% of the transaction for each purchase.
Limited customer service. At the moment, there’s no phone number for potential customers to call. Support is limited to online help for current customers or postal mail.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn't pull your credit history when you apply, which can help those with bad credit or no credit qualify for the card and start building credit. But you'll have to make a secured deposit to use the card as well as pay the card's annual fee.
Pros
No credit check. OpenSky uses your ID to confirm your identity and it won't do a credit pull.
Build your credit. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, which can help strengthen your credit. All you have to do is keep your utilization low and make timely payments.
Credit line. You have full control over your credit line, as it's the sum of your security deposit. You can make a deposit from $200 up to $3,000.
Cons
Annual fee. The card comes with a $35 annual fee. A small price to pay for no credit check.
Foreign transaction fee. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
No rewards. You won't earn rewards on your purchases.
The Petal 1 is a simplistic credit-building card that charges relatively few fees and doesn't require a security deposit. The card also offers up to 10% cash back with select merchants, which is a generous perk to have on a card designed for fair credit.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
High potential credit limit. Your minimum credit limit starts at $300 and goes as high as $5,000, which is greater than average for a credit-building card.
Reports to all three credit bureaus. Petal will report your credit activity to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Cons
High APR. The Petal 1's APR ranges from 25.24% to 34.74% variable.
Fees. Unlike the Petal 2, this card carries fees, including late payment fees.
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
25.24% to 34.74% variable
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Minimum credit score
550
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
Up to 34.74% variable
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
550
Best for rewards
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
4.2
★★★★★
Finder score
With a cashback rate rivaling non-secured cards, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured is probably the most rewarding secured credit card you can find. Most secured cards offer no rewards whatsoever, of a lower than average 1% back on purchases. This card also allows you to deposit up to $4,900 to act as your deposit, which is higher than many secured cards.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on one category you choose and 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $2,500 each quarter. After reaching the cap and on all other purchases, earn 1% cash back. This is the highest rewards rate offered by a secured credit card.
No annual fee. The card costs $0 to own, which is surprising considering the rewards it offers.
Deposit return. Bank of America will monitor your account. Based on your card activity and credit score, you could get your deposit back, thus turning this card into an unsecured card.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. Every purchase made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
No welcome offer. Despite the generous rewards rate, there's no bonus you can earn upon signup.
When choosing this year’s top no-annual-fee cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including APR, welcome offers, reward opportunities, redemption options and other features a consumer might consider in a no-annual-fee credit card. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® received several accelerated earning categories on top of its flat-rate earnings, immensely boosting its value. That means you not only get solid 1.5% back on all purchases, but up to 5% back on select categories, permanently. Along with the ability to transfer earned rewards to a Chase Sapphire card, it has overtaken the Citi Double Cash as the current industry standard for flat rate cashback credit cards.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery service, on drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® where you can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards and more.
Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
Special Offer. Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Welcome Offer
Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers excellent rotating cash back in useful categories. You'll also find a good signup bonus for a no-annual-fee card, as well as an intro APR on purchases.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Meeting the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card signup bonus criteria will get you around $600 in value, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card. And while the card is somewhat niche as a hotel card, it offers a high earning rate and additional perks, like 4th Night Free awards, that help elevate the overall value of this card and earn a spot on our list.
Pros
Signup bonus. Earn 80,000 points once you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account.
Earn reward points. Purchases made at IHG hotels earn 17x points, purchases made on monthly bills, grocery stores and restaurants earn 3x points, while all other purchases earn 2x points.
Fourth reward night free. Every time you redeem your points for four or more reward nights, you get one reward night free.
Cons
No intro APR period. If you're looking to save money on interest with 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, you may want to look for other credit cards.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.49% to 28.49% variable
Balance transfer APR
21.49% to 28.49% variable
Welcome Offer
Earn 80,000 Bonus Points once you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has reclaimed its throne and currently sports the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market.
Pros
Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 18.24% to 28.99% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 18.24% to 28.99% variable.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 21 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
When choosing this year’s top 0% APR credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, intro length, the revert APR, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
With the 2020 revamp, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been the best flat-rate cashback card you can get for nearly two years and counting. The card would prove plenty worthy even without an intro APR, but the addition of a 15-month intro period turns this card into a do-no-wrong kind of addition to your wallet.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery service, on drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® where you can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards and more.
Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
Special Offer. Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Welcome Offer
Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with accelerated rewards on groceries and gas, and a respectable 0% intro APR period on purchases. This intro APR period adds to the card's flexibility and can help families that need to invest in house spending, save on holiday expenses or take the edge off the first few months of a new addition to the family.
Pros
Welcome offer. Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases during your first 6 months of card membership.
Earn cash back. Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year. After that, you'll earn 1% back. You'll also earn 6% on select U.S. streaming services and 3% on transit purchases. At U.S. gas stations, you'll earn 3% back. For all other eligible purchases, you'll get 1% back.
Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99% applies.
Cons
Annual fee. The card comes with a $95 annual fee after the first year intro.
Cashback cap on groceries. Your 6% cashback rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped on up to $6,000 each year, and 1% after that.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Welcome Offer
$250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
Largely speaking, if the presence or absence of late fees is a significant part of your credit card decision, you might want to shore up your financial habits before applying for one. With that said, the Citi Simplicity® Card is a simple and friendly card with few fees and other potential distractions like rewards.
Pros
Introductory APR on balance transfers. Get 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable.
Introductory APR on purchases. Get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable.
No annual fee. You won’t pay an annual fee to use this card.
No late fees. This is an uncommon benefit among card providers, and most providers are usually adamant about charging these fees — even Citi itself.
Cons
No rewards. This card is strictly an intro APR credit card. You have no option to earn rewards like cash back, points or miles.
You’ll still pay balance transfer fees. For each balance transfer, you’ll pay the greater of $5 or 5%.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 21 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on purchases and balance transfers, beating even the Citi Diamond Preferred in length. This makes it an excellent card for consolidating large amounts of debt as you'll have nearly two years to make the payments necessary.
Pros
Intro APR period. Make purchases and balance transfers at a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles of card membership. After the intro period expires, your rate reverts to variable 19.74% to 29.74%.
Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your card and get coverage for your phone against damage or theft up to $600, with a $25 deductible.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
Cons
No signup bonus. Most credit cards offer a signup bonus after you meet specific criteria. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t have one.
Balance transfer limits. Make sure you transfer your balances within 60 days of card membership. Otherwise, you won’t get the intro APR period on balance transfers.
Potentially high APR. If you have a weak credit history, you may be given an interest rate up to 29.74% variable. That’s high, considering the average APR is around 16%.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 19.74% to 29.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 19.74% to 29.74% variable)
When choosing this year’s top low-interest credit cards, we looked at several factors, including welcome offers, lowest APRs, reward opportunities and other card perks or benefits. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
Best for no late fees
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
3.1
★★★★★
Finder score
Most reward cards come with numerous fees, including late payment fees. With the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card, fees are one thing you don't have to worry about. As the name suggests, there are no fees associated with this card whatsoever, which makes it one of the most forgiving credit cards on the market when combined with the potential low APR.
Pros
Cashback rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. To reward responsible spending, that cashback value will be bumped to 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5 after 12 on-time monthly payments. The Petal 2 also earns 2% to 10% back at select retailers, including Gap, Old Navy, Casper and more.
No credit history required. If you have no credit score or limited credit history, your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments, may be analyzed to determine your eligibility. You can still apply if you already have a good credit history and you want to take advantage of the card’s generous fee structure.
No fees. There’s no annual, foreign transaction, overlimit or even late fees.
Cons
No intro APR period. Most cashback cards come with a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. Unfortunately, that’s one perk you won’t get with the Petal 2.
No signup bonus. Unlike many of its competitors that offer signup bonuses or introductory offers, Petal has no such offer.
Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 10% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
Best for large signup bonus
TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card
3.5
★★★★★
Finder score
The TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card is a rare card that offers low interest rates and a solid signup bonus worth up to $250. It also lets you earn miles on travel and dining purchases. The card's balance transfer offer is the cherry on top, but take care to weigh the card's ongoing annual fee against your use of the card.
Pros
Big reward earnings. Earn 3x First Class miles no matter which airline you fly. Continue your earnings by spending on hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining. All other purchases earn you 1x miles.
Signup bonus. Earn an introductory 25,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 within your first 6 billing cycles.
Intro annual fee. TD waives your annual fee during the first year. After that, it reverts to $89 a year.
Intro APR. You will receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 0%. after account opening, then 18.24% variable.
Cons
Average redemption value. According to the card’s terms and conditions at the time of writing, you can expect about 1 cent per mile when redeeming points for travel, but you’ll get less returns on items such as gift cards or merchandise. You also don’t have opportunities to transfer your points to other loyalty programs for more value.
Balance transfer fees. You’ll pay $5 or 3% of the balance transfer, whichever is greater.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($89 thereafter)
Purchase APR
18.29% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 18.24% variable)
Welcome Offer
25,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 billing cycles
With the Simmons Visa®, you get one of the lowest APRs currently on the market that isn't tied to a prerequisite like you'd find with the Chase Slate Edge. As a trade-off, the card is relatively bare-boned and there are no rewards or intro APR period on purchases. But if all you're concerned with is the card's APR, this card is a great pick.
Pros
Low APR. You get variable APR on purchases, which is the lowest you can find.
No annual fee. There's no annual fee for the card.
Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers within your first 12 months when you open your account. After that, a variable APR of applies.
Cons
No intro APR period on purchases. You only get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, but not on purchases.
Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 2% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 15.5% to 23.5% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 15.5% to 23.5% variable) $10 or 3% of transfer during promo or $0 after promo
Welcome Offer
N/A
Rewards
None
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
None
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
740
Best for rewards
Discover it® Cash Back
4.8
★★★★★
Finder score
What the Discover it® Cash Back lacks in additional perks or earning categories, it makes up for with the potential for a very low ongoing APR. Depending on your creditworthiness, you can start with a 16.99% variable APR, far below the 16% industry average. The card's 15 months intro APR on purchases and 15 months intro APR on balance transfers is nothing to sneeze at either, and the cash back match for the first year also makes one of the better cards available for immediate up front value.
Pros
Rewards. Great cash back in rotating categories. Earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend on purchases each quarter in eligible rotating categories, such as at gas stations, restaurants, Amazon.com, grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 1% cash back after you've hit the spending cap each quarter, and on all other purchases.
Intro APR. 0% for 15 months following your account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, your purchase and balance transfer APR will be between 16.99% to 27.99% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
Cashback match. Discover will match all the cash back you have earned at the end of your first year.
Cons
Balance transfer limitations. You must complete your balance transfers until a specific date to use the 0% intro APR period.
Cashback categories. You don't know what the 5% cashback categories will be until the start of each year.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.99% to 27.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.99% to 27.99% variable) Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by August 10, 2022 with the 0% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
Welcome Offer
Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Welcome Offer
Other
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Best student credit cards
When choosing this year’s top student credit cards, we compared multiple factors among eligible cards, including fees, credit limit, reward opportunities, student-specific perks, welcome offers and any additional rewards or benefits offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best for no fees
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
3.1
★★★★★
Finder score
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is the new card on the block aimed at newly graduated professionals.
Pros
Cashback rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. To reward responsible spending, that cashback value will be bumped to 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5 after 12 on-time monthly payments. The Petal 2 also earns 2% to 10% back at select retailers, including Gap, Old Navy, Casper and more.
No credit history required. If you have no credit score or limited credit history, your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments, may be analyzed to determine your eligibility. You can still apply if you already have a good credit history and you want to take advantage of the card’s generous fee structure.
No fees. There’s no annual, foreign transaction, overlimit or even late fees.
Cons
No intro APR period. Most cashback cards come with a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. Unfortunately, that’s one perk you won’t get with the Petal 2.
No signup bonus. Unlike many of its competitors that offer signup bonuses or introductory offers, Petal has no such offer.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase. But if you're seeking intro APRs on purchases or balance transfers, consider other options.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't need to pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cash back. For purchases you make through Uber and Uber Eats you'll earn 10% cash back through 11/14/2024. Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Open to fair credit. Despite being superior to the old Journey card, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card still only requires a fair credit score.
Cons
No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
Welcome Offer
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
This card offers solid, consistent rewards that you can redeem as statement credit for a variety of travel purchases. An excellent choice for a study-abroad trip, as you'll pay no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
Signup bonus. Spend $1,000 in your first 90 days of account opening to earn 25,000 bonus points. That’s worth $250 in statement credit toward travel purchases.
Reward points. Earn unlimited 1.5x points on everything you buy.
Intro APR period on purchases. Use your first 18 billing cycles to make interest-free purchases with a 0% intro APR period. After that, your rate reverts to variable 18.24% to 28.24% APR.
Cons
No balance transfer intro APR period. The card offers a 0% intro APR period on purchases but not on balance transfers. If you’re looking to make a balance transfer, compare 0% intro APR balance transfer credit cards.
Penalty APR. Miss payments and you could get slapped with a harsh 29.99% penalty APR.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable)
Welcome Offer
25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
4.4
★★★★★
Finder score
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students offers strong rewards in a variety of common student spend categories. Its cashback rates are among the highest you'll find for student cards.
Pros
Signup bonus. Earn a $200 online cash bonus after you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days when you open your account.
Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on a category you choose, such as online shopping, dining, gas, drug stores, travel or home improvements. You'll also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. You're capped on up to $2,500 in combined purchases in both 1% and 2% cashback categories. After that, your rate reverts to 1% cash back, which is the rate you earn on all other purchases.
Intro APR period. Get 18 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases. A variable APR of 17.99% to 27.99% applies thereafter.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable)
When choosing this year’s top balance transfer cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including intro period length, the revert APR, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
After a period of time with a shorter intro length than typical, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is back with one of the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market, backed up by an equally strong purchase APR and no annual fee.
Pros
Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 18.24% to 28.99% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 18.24% to 28.99% variable.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 21 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Citi® Double Cash Card is not only one of the leading flat-rate cashback cards on the market, but it lets you save money on interest with a long balance transfer as well. This gives it a unique draw considering many balance transfer cards lost much of their value after the end of the intro APR period.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn cash back twice on everything you buy — 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay your balance. Similar cards let you earn 1.5% back. That's up to a $100 difference if you spend $20,000 a year with your card.
Intro APR on balance transfers. Enjoy 18 months of a 0% intro APR period for balance transfers. Compared to similar cards, this is one of the longest intro periods you can get. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% applies.
Citi Entertainment℠. Get special access when buying presale tickets or VIP packages for concerts, sports events, dining and more.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
Up to 29.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 19.24% to 29.24% variable) 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)
Balance transfer fee
For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min)
In addition to a balance transfer opportunity, the Citi Rewards+® Card Card rounds up your rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. This makes it a valuable choice if you frequently make small purchases, with special appeal to citi-dwellers or those frequently on the move.
Pros
Earn points. Earn 2x points at gas stations and supermarkets. This applies to the first $6,000 in qualifying purchases per calendar year, after which you will earn 1x points.
Signup bonus. Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening.
Rounding gets you more points. Your points will be rounded up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
A good intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening, then 18.74% to 28.74% variable.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. Because of the 3% foreign transaction fee, this may not be a good card to use with foreign merchants abroad or online.
Penalty APR. If you miss a payment, Citi may impose a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.74% to 28.74% variable) 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)
Balance transfer fee
For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 4 months of account opening, after that 5% ($5 min)
Rewards
Up to 2x points
Intro Balance Transfer APR
0% for 15 months
Rewards
Up to 2x points
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Best for poor credit
Discover it® Secured
4.4
★★★★★
Finder score
The surprisingly strong Discover it® Secured not only offers a reward rate comparable to non-credit-building cards, but it offers a modest intro APR on balance transfers as well. There are only a handful of secured cards on the market with such an offer, though they can't match the overall value of the Discover it® Secured.
Pros
Signup bonus. At the end of your first year, Discover will match all of the cash back you’ve earned without any limits.
Cash back. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, and on all other purchases, earn 1% cash back.
Credit reporting to the three major bureaus. Discover will report your payment history to the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. With consistent on-time payments, you’ll build your credit score.
Possible security deposit return after eight months. After eight months, Discover will review your account every month. If they deem you’ve been a responsible cardholder, they may return your security deposit while you continue using your card. This effectively turns your secured card into an unsecured card.
Cons
It hurts to pay late. Your first late fee is waived, but making subsequent late or returned payments could result in fees as high as $41.
Time limit for balance transfers. If you want to take advantage of the intro balance transfer APR, your transfers must post to your account within the first months.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
28.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 27.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of 3%
The Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a long intro APR on balance transfers and has no annual fee, making it a simple card to keep in your wallet.
Pros
Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, reverting to 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
Intro offer on balance transfer fees gone. The original Chase Slate offered a 0% balance transfer fee offer for 60 days. This is no longer the case, as the Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a 60 days period of $5 balance transfer fees, reverting to 3%.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first 60 days, then $5 or 5%
Balance transfer fee
For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)
There is no single “best” credit card out there. A card’s value ultimately comes down to whether it delivers the features you need and you’ll use to your financial benefit. You’ll want to ask yourself a few questions to help you decide which credit card features are most important in your final choice.
Will you need to carry a balance in the future? While it’s a good practice to pay off your credit card balance at the end of each month, a low-interest rate can let you carry a balance without incurring much interest.
Are you looking to save on interest? An intro APR on purchases can let you make several large payments and pay them off over time without interest. However, balance transfer intro APR can let you save interest on your existing debts by moving your debts to the card and paying it off interest-free over the promotional period. Both are powerful ways to save money you may have spent otherwise.
Do you want to pay an annual fee? A credit card that offers rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee is pure profit back into your account. If you’re given the option to obtain a credit card with rewards, and it otherwise fulfills your other financial needs, you’ll want to take that opportunity.
Are there certain credit card perks you’d like? Many cards offer additional perks, such as cell phone protection or travel insurance. These offer some great additional value to your card, especially if your card also doesn’t require an annual fee.
What does a best credit card look like?
Here are some examples of what standout features some of the best credit cards on the market have.
Intro APR Card: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Long intro APR: 12 months on purchases AND 21 months on balance transfers.
No annual fee
Higher-than-average balance transfer time limit at four months
Type of card and example
What a best card looks like
Cash back card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Unlimited 1.5% cash back AND accelerated earning categories in travel, dining and drugstores
No annual fee
Intro purchase APR: 15 months
Welcome offer: Earn unlimited matched cash back. At the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Travel card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Large welcome offer: 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
Using perks can easily pay for the cost of the card
Secured card: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Doesn’t check credit score during application
Low annual fee
Reports to all three major credit bureaus
How we choose our top credit cards
Though there are numerous factors that go into how we choose the best credit cards in a given category, a few of the more important factors included the card’s value vs. the cost and its unique features and performance vs. the competition. Check out our full methodology for more information on our decisions.
Or compare all credit cards for a better sense of the features you’ll find on the average credit card.
What is the best credit card company?
Just as there’s no single best credit card out there, there’s no single best credit card company that will fulfill all your needs. With that said, many of the most popular credit card companies are sought after for a reason. Here’s a quick look at the top issuers based on market share according to Finder’s most recent research.
Provider
JD Power Rating (1,000 point scale)
Better Business Bureau Rating
American Express
838
A+
Discover
837
A+
Bank of America
812
A+
Chase
809
C+
Capital One
808
A-
Citi
801
F
Synchrony Bank
800
A+
Wells Fargo
800
not rated
Barclays
796
A+
U.S. Bank
786
A+
Credit One Bank
739
A-
What makes a credit card company “the best”?
Credit card companies that are known as the “best” usually specialize in one area where they outperform competitors. They will focus on serving their niche market through quality, variety or both.
Here are a few examples from some of the more popular card issuers today. You’ll note that in each example, a different type of cardholder stands to most benefit from the services offered.
Amex:The products of American Express cater to cardholders in the high-end market, offering numerous perks and benefits. This includes concierge service, Centurion Lounge access, ShopRunner membership after you enroll and more.
Chase: You’ll find that Chase offers a wide selection of credit cards for nearly every type of cardholder. Chase also possesses one of the more valuable rewards programs in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Citi: When it comes to rewards, Citibank runs head to head with Chase and Amex. However, Citi’s cashback cards, in particular, are standouts in the industry and a go-to for consumers looking for a simple and valuable cashback program.
Discover: Discover is known in part for not offering any credit cards that require annual fees. Despite this, Discover still offers some great cards packed with rewards and will match rewards earned at the end of the first year in lieu of a traditional signup bonus.
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
Kliment Dukovski is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
It is worth noting that there are credit builder credit cards you can use to build your credit history. So, be sure to explore them.
Also, you may consider comparing secured credit cards as they do not have a credit check and will likely be easier for you to be approved of and build you credit. With a secured credit card, you will have to make a security deposit that will be your initial credit limit. Making on-time payments and having no defaults will build a good credit score.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for a card.
If you have excellent credit, you have more options when it comes to shopping for perks. If you travel often, AMEX is known for its traveler and airline perks. If you need a balance transfer, Citibank may have a contender with the Citi Simplicity.
For a list of options of No Annual Fee cards, you may check the table of no-fee cards at the top of the page you’re viewing. You may also go check our page on no annual fee credit cards for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
What is the best product for people without credit score (gain credit card for the first time)?
Hi Dmitry,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
It is worth noting that there are credit builder credit cards you can use to build your credit history. So, be sure to explore them.
Also, you may consider comparing secured credit cards as they do not have a credit check and will likely be easier for you to be approved of and build you credit. With a secured credit card, you will have to make a security deposit that will be your initial credit limit. Making on-time payments and having no defaults will build a good credit score.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for a card.
If you have excellent credit, you have more options when it comes to shopping for perks. If you travel often, AMEX is known for its traveler and airline perks. If you need a balance transfer, Citibank may have a contender with the Citi Simplicity.
For a list of options of No Annual Fee cards, you may check the table of no-fee cards at the top of the page you’re viewing. You may also go check our page on no annual fee credit cards for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith