Best 5% cashback card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating: 4.7/5
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The best credit cards in the United States for 2021
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 2021. 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 just those we partner with on the site.
Best credit cards by category
Here are a few of the latest cards to grab our attention for June 2021. Continue to read through our best credit cards list for even more favorites:
Finder rating: 4.7/5
Best for up to 3% back at US supermarkets, terms apply
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Finder rating: 4.6/5
Best for long transfer intro APR
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Finder rating: 4.6/5
Best for families
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Finder rating: 4.3/5
Best rewards credit cards
When choosing this year’s top rewards cards, we looked at a number of factors, including rewards gained per dollar spent, available rewards 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.
Best for families
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
ongoing
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
6%
Cash back
Cash back
$150
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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 spending cap, the 6% back on US supermarkets in unmatched by any other card.
- Welcome offer. Earn $150 after spending $3,000 in purchases during your first 6 months of card membership. Plus earn 20% back on Amazon purchases on up to $200 total during that same time frame.
- Earn cash back. Earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year. After that, you'll earn 1% back. You'll also earn 6% on select US streaming services and 3% on transit purchases. At US gas stations you'll earn 3% back. For everything else you buy, you'll get 1% back.
- Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 12 months of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99% applies.
- Annual fee. The card comes with a $95 annual fee after the first year.
- Fees. This card carries a 2.7% foreign transaction fee and late fees of up to $40.
- No balance transfers. Amex removed the ability to perform balance transfers with this card.
| Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer |
Up to $350: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first 6 months for up to $200 back, plus $150 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months
|
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit) |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Best if you're new to credit
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
★★★★★
600
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
10%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- No credit history required. To be approved for most rewards credit cards, you need a good or excellent credit score. Petal, on the other hand, analyzes your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments to determine your eligibility.
- Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. After 12 on-time monthly payments, your cash back rate will increase to 1.5%. Also earn up to 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
- No fees. You won't pay an annual fee for the card, no foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad or overlimit and late payment fees.
- No signup bonus. Most similar cards come with a signup bonus in one form or another. Unfortunately, you won't get anything extra with the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card.
- Not open to poor credit. The Petal 2 is designed for those new to credit, or with good credit. You may not qualify if you have a poor credit history.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 12.99% to 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1% cashback, 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments, plus 2% - 10% back from select merchants |
Best for Gas
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
4%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- Annual fee. As long as you're a Costco member, you won't pay anything to use this card. The current cost of a Costco membership is $60.
- Rewards. Earn 4% back on gas on up to $7,000 and 1% back after. Also earn 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on eligible Costco purchases and 1% back on everything else.
- Travel protections. This card comes with an assortment of travel protections, including trip cancellation protection and travel assistance.
- Limited redemption options. You'll receive your cash back only at the end of the year in the form of a Costco coupon.
- Penalty APR. Miss a late payment and you could end up with a penalty APR as high as 29.99%% variable.
- Balance transfer restrictions. You'll need to complete any balance transfers within two months of account opening.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.24% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.24% variable |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 4% at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), 3% at restaurants and on travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for large welcome offer
The Platinum Card® from American Express
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$550
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
10x
Points
Points
75,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome 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 an astounding $4,500 in value: 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.
- Earn points. Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through Amex Travel. You can use your points toward gift cards, travel rewards, statement credit and more. On all other eligible purchases, you'll earn 1x points. Starting January 1, 2021, your 5x points on flights are capped on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after.
- Welcome offer. Get 75,000 membership rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership. Also earn 10x points at US gas stations and supermarkets, up to $15,000 within your first 6 months of account opening. That's up to $4,500 worth of rewards when transferred to travel partners.
- Airline fee credit. Select a qualifying airline and receive a $200 airline fee credit each year to cover incidental charges, such as checked bags or in-flight purchases.
- Annual fee. As a luxury card, the Amex Platinum Card requires a $550 annual fee for use.
- Narrow reward categories. This card is only particularly strong at earning rewards on travel and dining.
| Annual Fee | $550 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $4,500 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other purchases |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
What’s changed in 2021
Shifts within the credit cards industry and consumer spending habits ensured that several cards have moved positions this year, with the Blue Cash Preferred, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Petal 2 all gaining a spot this year.
Best credit cards for cash back
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.
Best for groceries with no annual fee
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3%
Cash back
Cash back
$100
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
While more cards are offering grocery rewards this year, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express still offers one of the best rates available for groceries at a low cost and is a great pick for families.
- Intro APR period on purchases. Get a 0% intro APR period for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
- Earn cash back. Earn 3% cash back on US supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that. You also get to earn 2% cash back at US gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on everything else you buy.
- Welcome offer. Get $100 bonus after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months following your account opening. You can also earn 20% back on Amazon purchases on up to $150 total during that same time frame.
- No balance transfer option. Amex removed the balance transfer offer for this card in June 2020.
- Cap on US supermarket rewards. Your accelerated rate at US supermarkets only lasts until you spend $6,000 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 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer |
Up to $250: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first 6 months for up to $150 back, plus $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months
|
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores and 1% on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit) |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Best for unlimited cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 3% back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Get a $200 bonus when you spend $500 within your first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
- Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
- No intro balance transfer. You won't find an intro period on balance transfers with this card.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Best for rotating categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ gained several new flat-rate earning categories. This bolsters the card's earning potential year round, even on non-rotating categories.
- 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 for the first 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
- 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 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for low credit
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
550
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Other
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- High potential credit limit. Your minimum credit limit starts at $500 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.
- High APR. The Petal 1's APR ranges from 19.99% to 29.49% variable.
- Fees. Unlike the Petal 2, this card carries fees, including late payment fees.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 19.99% to 29.49% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Rewards | 2% - 10% cash back from select merchants |
What’s changed in 2021
Chase served up some big changes to their flagship cards late in 2020, giving the Freedom lineup incredible cash back value as we head into 2021.
Best credit cards for balance transfers
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.
Best card for a long intro balance transfer APR
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
18 months
0% intro transfer APR
0% intro transfer APR
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers one of the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market, backed up by an equally strong purchase APR and no annual fee.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Intro APRs. You'll an 18 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, reverting to 14.74% to 24.74% variable.
- Additional cards free. You won't pay a fee to add additional cardholders to your account.
- Balance transfer fees. You'll pay the greater of $5 or 3% on all balance transfers.
- Four month transfer limit. You'll have just four months to take advantage of the balance transfer intro period.
- Penalty APR. The penalty APR for missed payments is steep at up to 29.99% variable.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
| Rewards | N/A |
Best card for ongoing rewards
Citi® Double Cash Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
18 months
0% intro transfer APR
0% intro transfer APR
Up to
2%
Cash back
Cash back
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.
- Intro APR period. Get 18 months of 0% intro APR period when you open your account. A variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99% applies thereafter.
- Cash back. Earn 2% back on all purchases — 1% when you make the purchase and 1% back when you pay it off.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the card.
- Foreign transaction fees. Purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
- No intro APR on purchases. This card only offers an intro APR on balance transfers.
- No signup bonus. Unlike other cashback cards, the Citi® Double Cash Card doesn't come with a welcome offer.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
| Rewards | Up to 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay) |
Best for small purchases
Citi Rewards+® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
15 months
0% intro transfer APR
0% intro transfer APR
Up to
2x
Points
Points
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 good choice if you frequently make small purchases.
- Reward points. Earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year. Once you reach the cap and on all other purchases, you earn 1x points.
- Round up points. A rewards rate of 2x and 1x points may not seem like its worth earning a spot as one of the best rewards credit cards, but with the rounding up feature, your rewards rate is actually higher. Say you buy a $2 coffee. Your reward points will round up at 10x points, thus earning a 5% reward.
- Bonus points. The card comes with 15,000 bonus points once you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months when you open your credit card account. Also, you get additional 10% bonus points for the first 100,000 points you redeem annually.
- Foreign transaction fees. Using the card abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost 3% of the amount.
- Balance transfer limitation. You'll need to complete your balance transfer within four months of account opening to take advantage of the intro APR.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.49% to 23.49% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.49% to 23.49% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
| Rewards | Earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on all other purchases |
Best for poor credit
Discover it® Secured
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
6 months
10.99% intro transfer APR
10.99% intro transfer APR
Up to
2%
Cash back
Cash back
The Discover it® Secured 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.
- Intro APR period. Get 18 months of intro APR period when you open your account. A variable APR of to applies thereafter.
- Cash back. Earn 2% back on all purchases (1% when you make the purchase and 1% back when you pay it off).
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the card.
- Foreign transaction fees. Purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 0% of the amount.
- No intro APR on purchases. This card only offers an intro APR on balance transfers.
- No signup bonus. Unlike other cashback cards, the Discover it® Secured doesn't come with a welcome offer.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 22.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 22.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Rewards | 2% back on gas and dining up to $1,000 combined each activated quarter, then 1% after that and on all other purchases |
What’s changed in 2021
Consumer balance transfer options took a big hit in 2020, as many providers removed intro offers from their cards, or in some cases, removed the balance transfer feature entirely. Citi largely kept the feature on its cards, leading to the provider becoming the go-to balance transfer choice in many categories.
Best travel credit cards
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.
Best for rewards with no annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the most rewarding no-annual-fee credit cards you can get. With up to 5% cash back on select categories and an unlimited 1.5% back on all other purchases, it's hard to find a better alternative.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases and 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022. Earn 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 3% back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Get a $200 bonus when you spend $500 in your first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
- Foreign transaction fee. Purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
- No intro balance transfer. You won't find an intro period on balance transfers with this card.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% of the transaction value |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Best for everyday spending
Chase Freedom Flex℠
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back on purchases made through the Chase travel portal. This is the same rewards rate you earn with premium travel cards. But unlike the $500 annual fee you pay with these cards, the Freedom Flex has a $0 annual fee.
- Rewards. Earn $200 cash back when you spend $500 in your first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn rewards points. Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined spending in rotating categories each quarter. Earn 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022 and 5% back on purchases made through the Chase Travel Portal. Dining purchases, including takeout and delivery, and drugstore purchases earn 3% back, and all other purchases 1% back.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months, reverting to 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
- You must activate rotating categories. If you don't activate on time, you won't earn 5% cash back on these categories.
- Rotating categories hidden. You won't know what the 5% cash back rotating categories are until the quarter draws near.
- 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 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% of the transaction value |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for large sign up bonus
The Platinum Card® from American Express
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$550
Annual fee
Annual fee
75,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Up to
10x
Points
Points
With a welcome offer worth up to $4,500 in redemption value when maxed out, no other card can match this. Even if you don't max out the welcome offer, you get at least double the value compared to similar premium travel cards offer.
- Welcome offer. Earn 75,000 membership rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, earn 10x points at US supermarkets and US gas stations on up to $15,000 in combined purchases for the first 6 months. That's up to $4,500 worth of rewards when transferred to travel partners.
- Reward points. Starting January 2021, earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after. Earn 5x points to prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, but without a limit. All other purchases earn 1x points.
- Airline fee credit. Select a qualifying airline and receive a $200 airline fee credit each year to cover incidental charges, such as checked bags or in-flight purchases.
- Annual fee. Expect to pay $550 for the card. This may seem like a lot, but if you travel often, you can easily offset the fee.
- Can't always carry your balance. Most credit cards let you carry your balance by paying interest. The Amex Platinum Card, however, lets you carry your balance on some purchases, but not on all of them.
- Potentially limited acceptance abroad. American Express cards are not as widely accepted worldwide as Visa or Mastercard.
| Annual fee | $550 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $4,500 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other purchases |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Best for travel credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
★★★★★
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$550
Annual fee
Annual fee
60,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Up to
10x
Points
Points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual travel credit with no airline or hotel restrictions. This is higher than competitor premium cards that offer either $200 or $250 in credit.
- 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 3x points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide and x points on all other purchases. The 3x points can be worth 4.5% back if redeemed on travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards. You also earn 3x points on Lyft purchases until March 2022. This can be worth up to 15% back in travel purchases via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
- 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 | 16.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $900 through Chase Ultimate Rewards. |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $900 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best for gas
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Up to
4%
Cash back
Cash back
The Costco Anywhere Visa offers the highest cashback rate on gas purchases. On the downside, you can only redeem your rewards once each year.
- Cash back. Earn 4% cash back on gas for the first $7,000 spent annually, 1% after that. Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and travel, % cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% cash back on everything else.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to own the card.
- Acts as a Costco membership card. Use your Costco credit card to enter Costco.
- Costco membership required. You need to have Costco membership to apply for the card.
- Limited redemption options. You can only redeem your Costco rewards once a year.
- No intro APR period. Most cashback cards offer 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. But with this card, you don't get to enjoy this perk.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.24% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 4% at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), 3% at restaurants and on travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for groceries
American Express® Gold Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$250
Annual fee
Annual fee
60,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Up to
4x
Points
Points
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 offered by the Amex Gold Card.
- Reward points. Earn 4x points at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, and 1x points after that. Earn 4x points at restaurants and Uber Eats, including takeout and delivery, and 3x points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel. All other purchases earn 1x points.
- Welcome offer. Earn 60,000 points welcome offer after you spend $4,000 within your first 6 months of account opening.
- Travel and dining credits. Earn up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shacks, but you have to enroll first. Plus get a $100 hotel credit. Also get up to $10 in Uber Cash each month when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account.
- Annual fee. Pay $250 annually to own the card.
- Can't always carry your balance. Unlike most other credit cards where you can carry your balance on all purchases by paying interest, with the Amex Gold Card, you can only carry your balance on some purchases, not all.
- 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 $4,000 in the first 6 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $600 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points), 3x points on directly-booked flights and 1x points on all other purchases |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Best for hotels
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$89
ongoing
Annual fee
Annual fee
150,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Up to
25x
Points
Points
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier offers up to 25x points on IHG purchases, which comes at around 15% 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.
- Reward points. Earn 25x points on IHG stays, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on everything else you buy.
- Signup bonus. Earn 150,000 bonus points once you spend $3,000 in your first 3 months of account opening. Most credit cards that offer such generous signup bonuses usually require a higher spend of around $4,000 in the first three months.
- Fourth reward night free. Redeem your points for four or more reward nights and get an additional reward night.
- Annual fee. To use the card and its perks, you'll pay $89 annually starting the second year.
- No intro APR period. You won't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
| Annual fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($89 thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | 150,000 points plus a Reward Night after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $900 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | Up to 25x points total at IHG hotels, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best for flat-rate rewards
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
Annual fee
Annual fee
100,000
Miles welcome offer
Miles welcome offer
5x
Miles
Miles
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.
- Annual fee. Pay an annual fee of $95 each year.
- No intro APR period. You won't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
| Annual fee | $95 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 17.24%, 21.99% or 24.49% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $1,000 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5x miles on Uber Eats and 2x miles on all purchases |
Best for miles match after first year
Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Other
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
1.5x
Miles
Miles
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.
- Miles match. Discover will match your miles earned at the end of your first year without any restrictions. This means if you earn 30,000 miles during your first year, Discover will match it with another 30,000 miles.
- Reward miles. Earn a flat 1.5x miles on your purchases.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to own the card.
- No 0% intro APR period on balance transfers. This card offers a 10.99% intro APR period on balance transfers for your first 14 months, reverting to 11.99% to 22.99% variable APR.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 14 months (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable) |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Welcome offer | Discover will match miles earned at the end of your first card year |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.5x miles on all purchases |
What’s changed in 2021
In late 2020 we saw a Chase Freedom takeover, and rightfully so. The two revamped Chase credit cards took over the spots as best for everyday spending and best rewards card with no annual fee.
The Amex Platinum Card didn’t stand idle as well. With the massive welcome offer it now stands as the king in its respective category.
Best credit cards with no annual fees
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.
Best for cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® received several accelerated earning categories on top of its flat-rate earnings, boosting immensely boosting its value. Now it has overtaken the Citi Double Cash as the current industry standard for flat rate cashback credit cards.
- Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 3% back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Get a $200 bonus when you spend $500 within your first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
- Foreign transaction fees. 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 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Best for travel
Chase Freedom Flex℠
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- 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 for the first 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
- You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on all international purchases.
- Rewards must be activated. You'll need to activate your cashback categories each quarter, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for large signup bonus
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
15x
Points
Points
60,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Meeting the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Cards signup bonus criteria will get you around $420 in value, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card.
- Signup bonus. Earn 60,000 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 15x points, purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants earn 2x points, while all other purchases earn 1x points.
- Fourth reward night free. Every time you redeem your points for four or more reward nights, you get one reward night free.
- 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.
- Elite status limitations. To earn Gold Status, you'll need to spend $10,000 on this card. Many similar cards offer complimentary elite status.
- Fourth night free limitations. You can only earn a fourth free night on Reward nights, not nights you pay for in cash.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $420 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 15x total points at IHG hotels, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best for balance transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card currently sports the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market. It also comes with an intro APR on purchases, which is a solid value for a card with no annual fee.
- Intro APR period on balance transfers. For transfers made within the first 60 days of your account opening, get a 0% intro APR period for 20 months. After that, your rate will be from 14.49% to 24.49% variable.
- Intro APR period on purchases. You also get a 0% intro APR period on all purchases made within the first 20 months of card membership. A variable APR of 14.49% to 24.49% applies thereafter.
- No penalty APR. You won't accrue a penalty APR for missing payments with this card.
- Foreign transaction fees. Using this card abroad or online with foreign merchants will accrue a 3% foreign transaction fee.
- Balance transfer limits. You'll need to perform your balance transfer within 60 days of card membership to take advantage of the card's intro offer.
- Potentially high APR. If you have a weak credit history, you might end up with an APR of 24.49% variable, which is higher than average.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable) |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | N/A |
What’s changed in 2021
Chase’s incredibly strong Freedom cards grabbed several spots this year. Their raw earning potential combined with no annual fees means you can’t really go wrong with a Freedom card in many cases. Honorable mention goes to the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, which took over the longest intro balance transfer title from the Citi Simplicity® Card.
Best low-interest credit cards
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
★★★★★
600
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
10%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Most reward cards come with many 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.
- No fees. You won't pay an annual fee, late payment fees, no foreign transaction fees or overlimit fees with this card.
- Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. Your rate will increase to 1.5% after you make 12 on-time monthly payments. Select merchants let you earn between 2% and 10% cash back.
- No credit history required for approval. Petal analyzes your income and financial records to determine your eligibility, meaning you can apply with no credit history and still get an approval.
- No signup bonus. Most cashback cards offer a signup bonus in one form or another. With this card, you won't earn any bonus when you signup.
- No intro APR period. Another common feature with cashback cards that the Petal 2 lacks is 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 12.99% to 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1% cashback, 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments, plus 2% - 10% back from select merchants |
Best for new professionals
Jasper Mastercard®
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
6%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Professionals recently graduated from college and professionals relocating to the US can use the Jasper Mastercard® to build credit and earn cash back.
- Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on all purchases. You can earn up to 6% back on all purchases by referring friends. For every friend you refer who applies and is accepted, you'll get an extra 0.5% for a full year.
- No credit history required. You can apply for the card and get an approval without having a credit history.
- High credit limit. Depending on your financial situation, you can get a credit limit of up to $5,000.
- No signup bonus. You won't earn any bonus when you sign up.
- No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both with this card.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.49% to 24.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1% cash back on purchases plus an extra 0.5% for a full year for every friend you refer and bring on board for up to 6% cashback, terms apply |
Best for large signup bonus
TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$89
ongoing
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Miles
Miles
25,000
Miles welcome offer
Miles welcome offer
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.
- Signup bonus. Earn 25,000 bonus miles worth up to $250 in redemption value after you spend $3,000 in your first 6 billing cycles when you open your account.
- Rewards miles. Earn 3x miles on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining, and 1x miles on all other purchases.
- Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers made within your first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR of 13.24% applies.
- Annual fee. You'll pay a $89 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
- No intro APR period on purchases. You don't get to save money on interest with a 0% intro APR period on purchases.
| Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($89 thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 13.24% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 13.24% variable) |
| Welcome offer | 25,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 billing cycles |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $250 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 3x miles on travel and dining and 1x miles on all other purchases |
Best for lowest ongoing APR
Simmons Visa®
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
With the Simmons Visa®, you get one of the lowest APRs currently on the market. As a trade off, there are no rewards and no intro APR period on purchases.
- Low APR. You get 8.25% 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 8.25% applies.
- No intro APR period on purchases. You only get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, but not un 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 | 8.25% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 8.25% variable) |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | N/A |
Best for rewards
Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Union Strong Mastercard® Credit Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5x
Points
Points
$150
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Union Strong Mastercard® Credit Card offers generous rewards and some of the lowest interest rates you can find.
- Reward points. Earn 5x points on rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter. After that and on all other purchases, you earn 1x points.
- Low APR. You get 9.25% APR on purchases and balance transfers. This is way lower than the APR offered by other rewards credit cards.
- Intro APR period. Get 12 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and 18 months on balance transfers after you open your account. After the intro APR period ends, your rate reverts to a variable 9.25%.
- Loss of intro APR period. You could lose your intro APR period if you make a late payment.
- Balance transfer limitations. You must transfer your balance within 90 days when you open your account to use the intro APR period.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then from 9.25% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 9.25% variable) |
| Welcome offer | $150 after spending $1,200 in the first 90 days |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 5x points in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each quarter, then 1x after that and on all other purchases |
What’s changed in 2021
We added the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card and the Jasper Mastercard® cards to our best list because of their low APRs and credit-building and reward value.
Best credit cards with 0% intro APR
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.
Best for groceries and gas
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
ongoing
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
6%
Cash back
Cash back
$150
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with accelerated rewards on groceries and gas, and a long 0% intro APR period on purchases.
- Intro APR on purchases. Get 0% intro APR period for following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
- Cash back. Earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that. Earn 3% cash back at US gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on everything else you buy.
- Intro annual fee. You get to enjoy these perks without paying an annual fee for the first year. After that, you'll pay $95 annually.
- Foreign transaction fees. The card comes with 2.7% fee of the amount of every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants.
- No balance transfers. American Express removed balance transfers with this card in June 2020.
- Cashback cap on groceries. Your 6% cashback rate at US 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 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer |
Up to $350: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first 6 months for up to $200 back, plus $150 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months
|
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit) |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Best for flat-rate cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
With the 2020 revamp, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is now the best flat-rate cashback card you can get. Aside from earning cashback on multiple categories, you also get a 0% intro APR period on purchases.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides until March 31, 2022, and 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Also, earn 3% back on purchases at drug stores and dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Intro APR period. Use 0% intro APR period on purchases made within the first 15 months when you open your account. After that, your rate reverts to 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
- Signup bonus. Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 in your first 3 months when you open your account.
- Foreign transaction fees. There's a 3% fee for every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants.
- No intro APR period on balance transfers. You won't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers like you do on purchases.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Best for no late fees
Citi Simplicity® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
18 months
0% intro transfer APR
0% intro transfer APR
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
The Citi Simplicity® Card is a simple card with no late payment fees, no annual fee, but also with no rewards.
- Intro APR period. Get 18 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers after you open your account. Once the intro APR period ends, your rate reverts to variable 14.74% to 24.74%.
- No penalty APR and no late fees. You won't pay any fee for being late and you won't accrue a penalty APR, which is known to be up to 32% with other cards.
- No annual fee. The card has a $0 annual fee.
- No rewards. You won't earn any rewards for your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
- Foreign transaction fee. Every purchase 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 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
| Rewards | N/A |
The information about Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Finder and and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Best for longest purchase intro APR
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
20 months
0% intro transfer APR
0% intro transfer APR
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on purchases and balance transfers, which makes it an excellent card for consolidating debt.
- Intro APR period. Get 20 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases when you open your account. After the intro APR period ends, your rate reverts to variable 14.49% to 24.49%.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to own the card.
- Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your card to get coverage against phone damage or theft up to $600. You're limited to two claims in a 12-month period for a total of $1,200.
- Foreign transaction fees. Avoid using this card online at foreign merchants or when traveling abroad or you'll pay 3% fee of the amount of each transaction.
- No reward program. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
| Rewards | N/A |
What’s changed in 2021
The Freedom Unlimited won a spot on our list because of its long 0% intro APR period on purchases and its revamped cashback categories.
Best business credit cards
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
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$750
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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. You also earn cash back on gas and dining, making it a decent pick for business travel, too.
- Signup bonus. Earn $750 cash bonus after you spend $7,500 in your first 3 months of card membership.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on office supply stores and on Internet, cable and phone services on up to $25,000 annually in combined purchases, 1% after that. Also, earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $25,000 in combined purchases, 1% after that. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Intro APR period on purchases. Get 12 months of 0% intro APR on purchases. A variable APR of 13.24% to 19.24% applies thereafter.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.24% to 19.24% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 13.24% to 19.24% variable |
| Welcome offer | $750 cash back after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 5% at office supply stores, on Internet, cable and phone up to $25,000 combined annually (then 1%), 2% on gas and dining up to $25,000 combined annually then 1% after that and on all other purchases |
Best for no personal guarantee required
Brex 30 Card
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
8x
Points
Points
Other
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
Business cards with no personal guarantee have become more popular in 2020, thanks in part to the Brex for Startups card. By requiring no personal gurantee, the Brex 30 Card protects your personal assets should your business go belly up. You also get a unique signup bonus worth up to $150,000, as well as rewards on select purchases.
- No personal liability. This card doesn't require personal liability, a credit score, social security number or security deposits. In case your company fails, your personal assets won't be touched to pay off the card's debt.
- Earn rewards. Earn 1x points on all of your purchases. Boost your rewards when you make Brex your exclusive company card. This will make you earn 8x points on rideshares, 5x points on travel booked through Brex Travel, 4x on dining, 3x on recurring software and software as a service and 1x points on everything else you buy.
- Signup bonus. With this card, you don't earn the standard credit card bonus when you meet the spend requirements. Instead, you get up to $150,000 worth of services right off the bat, including $5,000 in credit for Amazon Web Services, a 25% subscription discount of up to $375 for Salesforce, $436 credits per month for 12 months for Zendesk and more.
- 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 | Up to $150,000 worth of credits and offers for business services like Amazon Web Services, Slack, Zoom, Google Ads and more |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $150,000 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 8x points on rideshares, 5x on Brex Travel, 4x at restaurants, 3x on software subscriptions and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best for unlimited cash back
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
1.5%
Cash back
Cash back
$750
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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. The card also has a surprisingly robust welcome offer, letting you earn $750 after meeting the spend requirements.
- Cash back. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $750 cash bonus after you spend $7,500 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 13.24% to 19.24% applies.
- 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 13.24% to 19.24% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 13.24% to 19.24% variable |
| Welcome offer | $750 back after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
Best business credit card for signup bonus
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Points
Points
100,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
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 $15,000 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.
- Signup bonus. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 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 Ultimate Rewards.
- 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.
- 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 | 15.99% to 20.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.99% to 20.99% variable |
| Welcome offer | 100,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $1,250 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 3x points on the first $150,000 on travel and select business categories annually, then 1x after and on all other purchases |
Best business credit card for balance transfers
U.S. Bank Business Platinum
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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 has no annual fee. And if you need to invest in some office supplies, the card also comes with an intro APR on purchases.
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, reverting to a variable APR of 11.99% to 20.99%.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Spending controls. You can adjust spending on your employee cards, including their due dates and spending limits.
- No rewards. This card doesn't feature any rewards for your spending.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on purchases made abroad, making this card not ideal for travel.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 11.99% to 20.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 11.99% to 20.99% variable) |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | N/A |
Best business credit card for luxury travel
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$595
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5x
Points
Points
85,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
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.
- Global Lounge Collection. Get access to more than 1,200 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 $15,000 on purchases in your first 3 months of card membership and get 85,000 bonus points. This is one of the higher welcome offers on the market.
- Membership rewards. Get 5x points on prepaid hotels and flights through Amex Travel and 1x points on everything else you buy. For purchases of $5,000 and more, you'll get 1.5x points up to 1 million points per year.
- High annual fee. This is one of the more expensive business cards with a $595 annual fee.
| Annual Fee | $595 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | |
| Balance transfer APR | |
| Welcome offer | 85,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 1.5x points if you spend $5,000 on a single eligible purchase on up to 1 million additional points per year and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best business credit card for building credit
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
1.5%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
If you're starting a business but don't have a prior credit history, the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card is a great choice for kickstarting your score. You can drop a security deposit of up to $25,000 on your account, which can help you avoid hitting a brick wall when it comes to investing. Plus, you'll earn rewards on your card payments, which is a rarity among secured cards.
- Build credit. Build your business credit and graduate to an unsecured card with responsible card use.
- Potentially high credit limit. Deposit between $500 and $25,000 to act as your credit line.
- Cash back. Get 1.5% cash back on all purchases or 1x points plus bonus points when you spend or more per billing cycle.
- Requires secured deposit. You can only use the card if you make a secured deposit to act as your credit line.
- No intro APR on purchases. Any purchases you make on this card will begin accruing interest at the standard rate.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.15% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
Best for new businesses
Ramp Visa® Commercial Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
1.5%
Cash back
Cash back
Other
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Ramp Visa® Commercial Card is the newest 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. The card also features 18 different signup bonuses, worth thousands of dollars in value.
- Ramp savings. Ramp will analyze your business spending and identify areas where your business may save, such as by eliminating redundant software subscriptions.
- Signup bonus. Ramp's unique signup bonus structure offers up to 18 different bonuses. These offers are through companies that can prove helpful to a growing business, such as Plaid or Twilio.
- Rewards. Earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | N/A |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | 18 different signup bonuses, worth thousands of dollars in value |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.5% cashback on all purchases |
Best for payment flexibility
The Plum Card® from American Express
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$250
ongoing
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
1.5%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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.
- Long grace period. You'll enjoy a 60-day grace period on purchases, so long as you pay at least 10% of your balance by the listed due date.
- Payment discounts. If you pay your balance off within 10 days of closing date, you'll receive a 1.5% discount on your payment.
- No annual fee on additional cards. Any additional employee cards you use won't be charged an annual fee.
- Charge card. While you have a 60-day grace period when used correctly, the Plum Card is ultimately a charge card and balances 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 | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($250 thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | N/A |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.5% discount when you pay early |
What’s changed in 2021
We saw a few new additions to our business card picks for 2021. The most exciting additions are the Ramp Visa® Commercial Card and The Plum Card® from American Express, two business cards aimed at helping small or new businesses hit the ground running. Card flexibility was also an important concern over 2020 given the uncertain economic landscape, with the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards and U.S. Bank Business Platinum offering businesses extra wiggle room in terms of rewards and balance transfers respectively.
Best secured and credit building
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.
Best for lowest ongoing APR
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$49
Annual fee
Annual fee
9.99% variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $200
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
This card is designed to help you build credit while paying a low APR on purchases. But you'll have to pay an annual fee for the card.
- Fixed APR. Most cards come with a variable APR, but with this card, you'll get one of the lowest APRs at 9.99% fixed.
- Build your credit. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Try to keep your utilization low and pay your balance on time to build your credit.
- No minimum credit score. You can apply without credit history or with a poor credit score.
- Annual fee. You'll pay an annual fee of $49 for the card.
- Foreign transaction fees. Purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost 3% of the amount.
| Annual fee | $49 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | Starting at $200 |
| Purchase APR | 9.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 300 |
Best for no credit history credit check
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
★★★★★
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$35
Annual fee
Annual fee
17.39%
variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $200
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t pull your credit history when you apply. But you'll have to make a secured deposit to use the card.
- No credit check. OpenSky only uses your ID to confirm your identity. 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. Just try to keep your utilization low and make timely payments.
- FDIC insured deposit. Your security deposit is FDIC insured.
- Annual fee. The card comes with a $35 annual fee.
- Foreign transaction fees. Using the card abroad or online will cost you 3% fee of the amount.
- Secured deposit required. To use the card, you must make a secured deposit that will act as your credit limit.
| Annual fee | $35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | Starting at $200 |
| Purchase APR | 17.39% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 300 |
Best for lowest deposit
Capital One® Secured Mastercard®
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
26.99% variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $49
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
This card is unique in the secured card space because you can make a secured deposit lower than the amount you receive as a credit limit.
- Lower secured deposit. Depending on your credit score, you may pay a security deposit as low as $49 and still get a $200 credit limit.
- No annual fee. Aside from the secured deposit you won't pay an annual fee for the card.
- Potential credit limit increase. Capital One will check your account after you make five on-time payments, and the bank may increase your credit limit.
- No rewards. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- High APR. This card has a high APR on purchases of 26.99%.
- Secured deposit. You can only use the card after you made a secured deposit.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | $49, $99 or $200 |
| Purchase APR | 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 26.99% variable |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 580 |
Best for rewards
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
23.99% variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $300
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
With a cashback rate rivaling non-secured cards, the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured is probably the most rewarding secured credit card you can find.
- Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on a category of your choice, gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvements and 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Your 3% and 2% cashback categories are capped on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each year. After that, and on all other purchases, you earn 1% back.
- Solid security deposit amount. You can deposit anywhere between $300 and $4,900 to act as your credit line.
- Potential return of deposit. Bank of America will review your account from time to time. If you have improved your credit score and always paid off your balance on time, Bank of America may return your secured deposit, thus converting your secured card into an unsecured one.
- Secured deposit. You must make a secured deposit to use the card.
- Foreign transaction fees. Purchases made online with foreign merchants or abroad will cost you a 3% fee of the amount.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | Starting at $300 |
| Purchase APR | 23.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 23.99% variable |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 300 |
What’s changed in 2021
This year, the Bank of America card is the new undisputed best secured card with rewards, dethroning the Discover it® Secured.
Best student credit cards
When choosing this year’s top student credit cards, we compared a number of 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
★★★★★
600
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
10%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is the new card on the block aimed at newly graduated professionals.
- Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
- No credit history required. You can get the card with no prior credit history.
- High credit limit. Your credit limit can go as high as $5,000, depending on your financial situation.
- No signup bonus. This card doesn't come with a signup bonus, unlike most other cashback cards.
- No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both with this card.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 12.99% to 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1% cashback, 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments, plus 2% - 10% back from select merchants |
Best for paying off student loans
Sallie Mae Accelerate℠
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
2.5%
Cash back
Cash back
Welcome offer
The Sallie Mae Accelerate℠ offers 1.25% cash back on every purchase. But if you use it to pay down your student loan, your rate goes up by another 25% for a total cashback rate of 1.56%.
- Cash back. Earn 1.25% cash back on all purchases. Redeem your cash back toward your student loan payments and earn another 0.31% back as a bonus.
- Signup bonus. Earn 2.5% cash back on all purchases within your first 12 months of card membership on up to $20,000.
- Intro APR period on purchases. Get 15 months of 0% intro APR period on your purchases. After the intro period expires, your rate reverts to variable 12.99% to 22.99%.
- Foreign transaction fee. Using the card online at foreign merchants or abroad will cost you a 3% fee of the amount.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 12.99% to 22.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 12.99% to 22.99% variable) |
| Welcome offer | |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 1.25% cash back on all purchases |
Best for studying abroad
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
1.5x
Points
Points
25,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
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.
- Reward points. Earn 1.5x points on all purchases made with this card.
- Signup bonus. Earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days days of account opening. That's worth $250 in statement credit on your next travel purchase.
- Intro APR period on purchases. Get 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, your rate reverts to variable 14.99% to 22.99%.
- No balance transfer intro APR period. You only get 0% intro APR period on purchases, but not on balance transfers.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 14.99% to 22.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Welcome offer | 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days |
| Estimated welcome offer value | $250 based on Finder's valuation |
| Rewards | 1.5x points on all purchases |
Best for rewards
Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Bank of America® 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.
- Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on a category you choose — online shopping, dining, gas, drug stores, travel or home improvements — and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Your cash back is capped at $2,500 each quarter on combined purchases at the 3% and 2% categories. Once reaching the cap, you earn 1% cash back, which is the same rate you earn on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus once you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days of account opening.
- Intro APR period. Get 0% intro APR period for the first 12 statement closing dates on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days of card membership. A variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99% applies thereafter.
- Foreign transaction fees. Every time you use your card online at foreign merchants or abroad, you'll pay a 3% fee of the amount.
- Balance transfer limitations. You must make your balance transfers within the first 60 days of card membership or you won't get to use the 0% intro APR period on balance transfers.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 statement closing dates (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days |
| Estimated welcome offer value | |
| Rewards | 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery and wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1% |
What’s changed in 2021
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students dethroned the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® this year because of its higher rewards potential. Also, the Sallie Mae Accelerate℠ card took its spot as a solid option for paying off your student loans.
What makes a credit card the best?
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 will use to your financial benefit. With that said, there are some attributes on a credit card that give it some extra potential over other cards.
- A low-interest rate. 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.
- An intro APR. An intro APR on purchases can let you make several large payments and pay them off over time without interest. A balance transfer intro APR on the other hand 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.
- Rewards with no 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.
- Perks. 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.
| Type of card and example | What a best card looks like |
|---|---|
| Intro APR Card: Citi Diamond Preferred | |
| Cash back card: Chase Freedom Unlimited | |
| Travel card: The Platinum Card from American Express | |
| Secured card: OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card |
How we choose our top credit cards
Though there are a lot of factors that go into how we choose the best credit cards in a given category, here are some larger overall factors we also consider to help us make our choices.
- The card’s features versus the cost. While many credit cards come with additional features, many of those feature-rich cards also require an annual fee for use. One thing we look at in this regard is whether the features offered by the card can outweigh the annual cost of the card.
- How well it fulfills a goal. Credit cards are ultimately financial tools meant to perform a task. How well and how easily a card fulfills that task versus other cards is an important consideration for us.
- Does it have features other cards do not? Card’s that fulfill a specific or underserved niche are often noteworthy and may receive a callout if the card is also otherwise strong.
- Performance versus the competition. Areas of a credit card that go above and beyond, such as a much higher-than-average reward rate or incredibly long intro APR, help highlight a card for our consideration.
You can compare all credit cards for a better sense of the features you’ll find on the average credit card.
Your questions about the best credit cards answered
What is the best credit card company?
Just as there is no single best credit card out there, there is 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.
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.
Wells Fargo: Started in 1852, Wells Fargo offers easy-to-understand, straightforward credit card options, which is ideal for those who simply need a credit card for standard purposes. As a tradeoff, it lags behind other front runners when it comes to rewards and perks.
What makes one credit card better than another?
There are a variety of reasons that a particular card will be better for your situation. Of course, the most important are those that work for your needs and spending habits.
Often there is a primary factor that differentiates cards. For example, you may be looking for a balance transfer card. In that case, the primary consideration might be how long the 0% APR transfer period is.
When multiple cards are strong in that primary factor, compare the secondary features.
Does the card offer a $0 annual fee? A 0% intro APR for purchases? Excellent cashback options?
Chances are you’ll find a well-rounded card that’s attractive for you in every respect.
How we rate our cards
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
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.
More guides on Finder
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Best student credit cards
Our top picks for cards across 7 student categories, including international students, first-time cardholders and cashback.
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Best 0% APR credit cards
Our top picks for cards with zero intro APR in 2021.
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Best airline credit cards of 2021
Have your sights set on travel this year? We compared nearly 100 cards to find the best deals and perks.
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Best store credit cards of 2021
Here are our picks for the best store cards of the year.
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Best no-annual-fee credit cards of 2021
Our picks for the best no-annual-fee cards.
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20 Best credit card signup bonuses of June 2021
Signup bonuses are offered to attract the consumers to apply for a credit card. Learn more about sign-up bonuses, find out what’s on offer and learn how to apply in our hand guide.
Ask an Expert
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