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It’s 2018 — time for a new credit card. But with so many options, which should you pick?
We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of 2018’s best credit cards. Click on a category from the list below to get on your way to finding the perfect card.
What type of card are you looking for?
These cards set the benchmark for the best of 2018. See the reviews, offers and who wins in eight categories like cash back, bad credit, rewards and more.
Credit card debt can pile up quickly, often with overwhelmingly high interest rates. To get a break from high interest and get ahead of your debt, consider a balance transfer credit card. A good one will offer:
A long 0% APR period.
Potentially no balance transfer fees.
Potentially a low ongoing rate for balance transfers once the promotional rate ends.
If you’re looking for a credit card to use exclusively for balance transfers, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card could be the right choice. You’ll get one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers and an intro APR period on purchases that lasts for a year. Furthermore, you won’t pay an annual fee to own the card, which makes it an excellent choice to save money and consolidate your debt.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period for 21 months from the date of the first transfer. After that, a variable APR of 14.74% to 24.74% applies.
Intro APR period on purchases.
Get a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 12 months following your account opening. A variable APR of 14.74% to 24.74% applies after that.
No annual fee.
There’s no annual fee to own the card.
Choose your due date.
Get payment flexibility by choosing when to pay your bill — set it at the beginning, middle or end of the month on any available due date.
Citi perks.
Enjoy perks like special access to ticket presales for concerts and sporting events, identity theft solutions, concierge and more.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the long intro APR period, you have to complete your balance transfers within the first 4 months of your account opening. Also, the amount you transfer including the balance transfer fees cannot exceed your credit limit.
Balance transfer fees.
For each transfer you make, you’ll pay
$5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
. This means that a $5,000 transfer will come with a $250 balance transfer fee.
Foreign transaction fees.
This card makes a poor travel companion, as you’ll pay a fee of 3% of the transaction each time you use it abroad.
Penalty APR.
If you make a single late or returned payment, you’ll pay up to a $35 fee. Citi may also impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable, which could last indefinitely.
The BankAmericard® Credit Card may not have the longest intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, but it comes with other cool perks that can help you save money. Enjoy no annual fee, no penalty APR and no balance transfer fees for transactions made within the first 60 days of card membership.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
For transfers made within 60 days of your account opening, get a 0% intro APR period for 15 statement closing dates. After that, your rate will be from 14.74% to 24.74% variable.
Intro balance transfer fees.
For all transfers you make within your first 60 days of card membership, you’ll pay a $0 balance transfer fee. This is ideal if you’re transferring large amounts of money, especially if you can pay the balance off within the intro APR period.
After the first 60 days pass, you’ll pay a fee of
$10 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
. For comparison, other cards have up to 5% fees for balance transfers.
Intro APR period on purchases.
You also get a 0% intro APR period on all purchases made within the first 15 statement closing dates of card membership. A variable APR of 14.74% to 24.74% applies thereafter.
No penalty APR.
A late or returned payment will cost you up to $38 in fees, but you won’t get stuck with a penalty APR. Other cards may impose a penalty APR of up to 31% if you make a single late or returned payment, and it could last indefinitely.
No annual fee.
You get all these perks without paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period on balance transfers and pay $0 in fees for each transaction, you have to make all your transfers within 60 days of your account opening. Remember: It may take up to two weeks for transfers to go through. Make your request sooner rather than later to insure your balance transfer is processed in time.
Foreign transaction fees.
If you travel abroad, try to minimize your payments with this card. Otherwise, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of the transaction each time you use it.
If you’re looking to make balance transfers and earn rewards on everything you buy — especially at supermarkets — the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card could be an ideal choice. You’ll get a decent welcome offer, and you won’t pay any balance transfer fees.
Welcome offer.
Get 10,000 membership rewards points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months following your account opening. That’s up to $150 in rewards.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Request your balance transfers within 60 days of card membership to get a 0% intro APR period for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 14.74% to 25.74% variable.
Intro balance transfer fees.
In addition to the intro APR period, you also get a $0 balance transfer fee for all transfers requested within your first 60 days of card membership. With other cards, you could pay up to a 5% fee of the amount of each transfer.
Intro APR period on purchases.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 15 months following your account opening. You’ll pay an APR of 14.74% to 25.74% variable after the intro period passes.
Earn membership points.
Earn 2 points for each dollar spent at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year. For everything else you buy — get 1x points. Redeem points for gift cards, cash back, travel rewards, merchandise and more.
No annual fee.
You won’t pay a single dollar to own the card.
Balance transfer limits.
You can only use the intro APR period on balance transfers if you make your transfers within 60 days of account opening. Also, the maximum amount you can transfer is either $7,500 or 75% of your credit limit, whichever is lower.
Penalty APR.
Try to pay on time. Otherwise, you’ll pay a fee of up to $38 for each late or returned payment you make. Amex may also impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable. To revert your rate back, you’ll need to make timely payments for at least six consecutive months.
Foreign transaction fees.
The card comes with a 2.7% fee for each transaction you make when traveling outside of the US.
The Chase Freedom® credit card could be a solid choice for anyone looking for an intro APR period on balance transfers. Not only will you save money on interest, but you’ll earn cash back on everything you buy. Also, you’ll get an easy-to-earn signup bonus and increased cash back on selected categories each quarter. And the best part is — there’s no annual fee.
Intro APR period.
Get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 months of card membership. Once the intro period passes, you’ll get a variable APR of 16.74% to 25.49%.
Earn rewards.
Earn 5% cash back on selected categories up to $1,500 each quarter. This means you can earn up to $300 annually in cash back on these categories alone. For everything else you buy, you’ll earn 1% cash back. And if you decide you no longer want to redeem your earnings for cash back, you can redeem your rewards for gift cards, travel, shopping directly with Amazon and more.
Signup bonus.
Once you spend $500 in your first 3 months of card membership, you’ll get 15,000 bonus points worth $150 in cash back.
Card protection.
Get zero liability for unauthorized purchases and fraud protection monitoring. Plus, you get purchase protection for 120 days against theft and damage up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
No penalty APR.
If you make a late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $37. And that’s it. For comparison, other cards may impose a penalty APR of up to 31%, which could last indefinitely.
No annual fee.
The card comes without an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
You can transfer balances up to your credit limit or $15,000, whichever is lower. For each transfer you make, you’ll pay a fee of either $5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater. This makes a balance transfer of $10,000 cost $500 in fees.
Enrollment required for 5% cash back.
You’ll need to enroll every quarter to earn the 5% cash back on the selected categories. Otherwise, you’ll earn the standard 1%.
Minimum credit line.
Depending on your creditworthiness, you’ll either receive a Platinum card, which has a starting credit line of $500, or a Signature card, which has a starting credit line of $5,000.
Foreign transaction fees.
Each time you use your card abroad, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of the amount.
If you’re looking to save money on all of your credit card purchases, a cashback card can be a great choice. But to pick the right one, consider whether you spend a lot in any particular category or if you need an intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
The no-annual-fee Uber Visa Card could be an ideal choice if you spend a lot of money at restaurants and bars or you often get takeout. This will earn you the highest number of points, which you can redeem for cash back, gift cards and Uber credits.
In addition, you’ll earn high points on travel purchases, online shopping, Uber rides, streaming services and digital purchases. And the cool thing is — you’ll earn points even on purchases made abroad.
Earn cash back.
Earn 4% back at restaurants and bars, as well as on takeout and UberEats. Get 3% back on hotels, including vacation home rentals like Airbnb, and flight tickets. Earn 2% back on online shopping, Uber rides, video and music streaming services and digital purchases on mobile platforms like iTunes and Google Play. For everything else, you’ll earn 1% back.
Signup bonus.
Spend $500 in the first 90 days of card membership and get 10,000 bonus points — worth $100 in cash back, gift cards or Uber credits.
Up to $50 online subscription credit.
After you and your authorized users spend $5,000 in a calendar year, you’ll get up to a $50 credit for online subscription services like Apple Music, Spotify, Sirius XM, Netflix, Hulu and more.
No foreign transaction fees.
You won’t pay any foreign transaction fees when using your card outside of the US. Also, you’ll earn points on purchases made abroad.
Mobile phone protection.
Pay your phone bill with the Uber Visa Card and get up to $600 in coverage against theft or damage to your phone. You’re allowed two claims during a 12-month period.
No annual fee.
You get all these benefits and perks without paying an annual fee.
Minimum cashback redemption.
You need to have at least 2,500 points — worth $25 — to redeem your rewards for cash back and gift cards. Uber credits redemption starts at 500 points — worth $5.
Daily redemption limits.
There’s a redemption limit for Uber credits and cash back deposited to your savings or checking account of $500 per day.
Points restriction.
If you fail to make the minimum payment when due, you may not be able to earn or redeem points during the next billing cycle.
Families that spend up to $6,000 per year on groceries could find the Blue Cash Preferred® Card extremely useful. You’ll get to earn one of the highest cashback rates on this category, plus you’ll earn high cash back on gas and at select department stores.
Also, you’ll get a decent welcome offer, a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, cell phone coverage, travel insurance and a whole lot of purchase benefits.
Earn cash back.
Earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year. After that, you’ll earn 1% back. At US gas stations and select US department stores, you’ll earn 3% back. For everything else you buy, you’ll get 1% back.
Welcome offer.
Get $200 in statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases for the first 12 months of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 14.74% to 25.74% applies.
Purchase benefits.
Get complimentary ShopRunner membership and enjoy free two-day shipping on purchases from more than 100 online retailers. You can also extend warranties on covered purchases, and get coverage for your phone or any other eligible item up to $1,000 per occurrence.
Roadside and global assistance.
Get help towing your car, changing a tire or charging your battery. When traveling more than 100 miles from home, you also get 24/7 access to medical, legal, financial and other emergency services you may need. You’ll be on the hook for any third-party service costs, however.
Annual fee.
You’ll have to pay $95 a year to own the card.
Foreign transaction fees.
For each transaction you make when traveling abroad, you’ll pay a 2.7% fee.
Balance transfers limits
To get the intro APR period, request your balance transfers within 60 days of account opening. Also, you can’t make balance transfers that exceed 75% of your credit limit or $7,500, whichever is lower.
Penalty APR.
If you make one or more late or returned payments, Amex may impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable. To revert your rate back, you’ll need to make on-time payments for at least six consecutive months.
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with unlimited cash back, the Citi® Double Cash Card could be an excellent choice. You’ll get to earn the highest cash back on all purchases when compared to competitor cards, and you’ll get one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers.
Earn cash back.
Earn 2% cash back on everything you buy — 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay your balance. Similar cards let you earn 1.5% back. That’s up to a $100 difference if you spend $20,000 a year with your card.
Intro APR on balance transfers.
Enjoy 18 months of a 0% intro APR period for balance transfers. Compared to similar cards, this is one of the longest intro periods you can get. After that, a variable APR of 15.24% to 25.24% applies.
Citi Private Pass.
Get special access when buying presale tickets or VIP packages for concerts, sports events, dining and more.
No annual fee.
All of the card’s perks and benefits come without an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
Complete your transfers within 4 months of card membership to get the intro APR period. Amounts that exceed your credit line can’t be transferred.
Penalty APR.
For a single late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $35 and you may lose your intro APR period. Citi may also impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable, which could last indefinitely.
Foreign transaction fees.
When traveling outside of the US, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of each transaction.
The U.S. Bank Cash+ ™ Visa Signature® Card is a solid option if you want to earn cash back on rotating categories. Competitor cards usually offer one or two categories per quarter — like dining, groceries or gas — with a cap of $1,500 in combined purchases.
This is where the U.S. Bank card shines — you earn the highest cash back on two categories of your choosing with a quarterly cap of $2,000. This means you can earn $100 more annually if you reach the cap when compared to similar cards. You’ll also earn accelerated rewards on an everyday category of your choosing, with no limit to how much you can earn.
Every quarter you can maximize the cash back you earn based on your spending habits. For example: Planning to buy electronics? No problem. Choose electronic stores for your quarterly cashback category and earn 5% back on stores like Apple, Newegg, Best Buy and more. Next quarter add furniture stores, department stores or any of the other supported categories to make the most of your card.
Earn cash back.
Earn 5% cash back on two categories of your choosing on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter. You’ll also earn unlimited 2% back on one everyday category of your choosing, like gas or groceries. For all other purchases, you’ll get 1% back.
Signup bonus.
Score a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days of card membership.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles following your account opening. A variable APR of 15.74% to 24.74% applies thereafter.
No penalty APR.
If you make a late payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $38, but you won’t incur a penalty APR. Other cards have penalty APRs of up to 31% that can apply indefinitely.
No annual fee.
Pay no annual fee to own the card.
You must enroll for higher cash back.
To earn 5% and 2% cash back on the categories of your choosing, you have to enroll each quarter. Otherwise, you’ll earn 1% back on these categories.
Foreign transaction fees.
Every time you use your card abroad, you’ll pay a 2% fee for purchases made in US dollars and a 3% fee for those made in foreign currency.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period on balance transfers, you must complete your transfers within 60 days of account opening.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is designed for those who want to travel in style. It comes with a high annual fee, but you’ll earn the highest number of membership rewards points on travel purchases. Plus, you’ll get a number of benefits and perks that can make the card worth it if you travel often.
Welcome offer.
Get 60,000 membership rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. That’s up to $600 worth of rewards.
Earn membership rewards 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. If you redeem these points for the highest valued rewards, you’ll get 5% back. On all other eligible purchases, you’ll 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.
Uber credits.
Every month, you’ll get $15 in Uber credits and a bonus $20 in December for a total of $200, which you can use for rides in the US.
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit.
Every four years, get a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.
Global Lounge Collection.
Get access to more than 1,100 airport lounges worldwide, including the Centurion Lounge, International American Express lounges and the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta. You can also enroll to get access to Priority Pass Select, Airspace and Escape lounges.
Hotel perks and benefits.
Get Hilton Honors Gold status, Starwood Gold Elite status and a variety of benefits at The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts.
Annual fee.
To get all these benefits, you’ll have to pay an annual fee of $550. Getting an additional card will cost you $175 per year.
Not a credit card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a charge card, which means you have to pay your balance in full when due. However, if you become eligible for the Pay Over Time feature, you could carry some of your balance by paying interest.
If you’re looking for a travel card with a simple rewards structure, the Venture® Rewards from Capital One® could be a solid choice. You’ll earn unlimited miles on everything you buy, and for hotel accommodations booked through Venture’s Hotels.com website, you’ll earn up to 10% back in miles redemption value.
Signup bonus.
Get 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. That’s up to $500 in value.
Earn miles.
For purchases made through Venture’s Hotels.com website, you’ll earn 10x miles through January 31, 2020. For everything else you buy, you’ll earn 2x miles. Redeem miles for travel, cash back, gift cards, merchandise and more.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.
Pay for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application with your card, and get a $100 credit every four years to cover the fee.
No penalty APR.
If you make a late payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $38. And nothing else. With other cards, a single late or returned payment is enough to get you a penalty APR of up to 31% — which can apply indefinitely.
No foreign transaction fees.
This is a great travel companion, as you won’t pay any fees when using this card abroad. Other cards charge fees of up to 3% of each transaction.
High minimum credit line.
Your credit line is determined by several factors, but with this card, you won’t get a credit line lower than $5,000. For comparison, most other cards give you a minimum credit line between $500 and $2,000.
Annual fee.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
No intro APR.
This can be a solid travel card, but it’s not the best choice if you’re looking to make balance transfers or if you want to make a large purchase and carry the balance without paying interest.
Getting the benefits and perks of a premium travel card without paying an annual fee may sound impossible, but it’s not — with the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express® Card, you get all that and more.
You’ll earn points on both travel and everyday purchases, and you’ll earn even more if you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member. Plus, commuter transportation, taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, bus lines and tolls all count toward travel purchases, which can help you score even more rewards.
Signup bonus.
Get 25,000 bonus points — worth up to $250 — after spending $2,500 in the first three months of card membership.
Earn points.
Earn 3x points on travel purchases — 4x if you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member. For everything else you buy, you get 1.5x points. Redeem points for gift cards or travel purchases.
Annual air travel credit.
Every year, you get $100 in air travel credit to use toward baggage fees, lounge access, flight changes, pet-kennel fees, phone reservations and in-flight food and beverage purchases.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.
Every five years, you’ll get a $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for the first 12 months of card membership. After that, a variable APR of 12.49% to 17.99% applies.
No annual fee.
You get all these perks without paying an annual fee for the card.
Airline ticket redemption fees.
When redeeming your points for flights, you’ll pay a $15 online booking fee or a $25 fee for booking by phone.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period on balance transfers, you have to make them by September 30, 2018. The fee for each balance transfer is 3% of the amount.
Penalty APR.
If you make a late payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $25. And if you fail to make the minimum payment within 60 days of its due date, PenFed may impose a penalty APR of 17.99% variable. You’ll have to make three consecutive on-time payments to revert the rate back.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card could be a perfect card for travelers who often dine out. You’ll earn 2x points on dining and travel purchases, and you can transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio with Chase’s airline and hotel partners including United Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Marriott hotels, World of Hyatt and more.
And as a bonus, you’ll get 25% more redemption value for travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. If you have another card with the program, you’ll get even more points to redeem.
Signup bonus.
Spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening to get 50,000 bonus points — worth up to $625 in travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Earn points.
Earn 2x points on dining and travel purchases and 1x points on everything else you buy. Redeem your points for gift cards, cash back and travel bookings, or use them to purchase directly from Amazon. You’ll get 25% more value when you redeem your points for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Points transfer.
Transfer your points in a 1:1 ratio with partner airlines and hotels, including United Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, British Airways, Marriott hotels, World of Hyatt and more.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months after account opening. After that, a variable APR of 17.74% to 24.74% applies.
No foreign transaction fees.
You won’t pay any fees to use your card outside of the US. Other cards come with fees of up to 3% of each transaction.
No penalty APR.
For late payments, there’s only a fee of up to $37. Chase won’t impose a penalty APR on your account.
High minimum credit line.
While credit lines vary depending on your creditworthiness, the lowest possible credit line you’ll get with this card is $5,000. Compared to other cards that have minimum credit lines anywhere from $500 to $2,000, this is relatively high.
Annual fee.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
Balance transfer limits.
You can only transfer balances from non-Chase accounts up to your credit limit or $15,000, whichever is lower. Each transfer comes with a fee of $5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater.
A no-annual-fee credit card is a breath of fresh air. You can use it as much or as little as you want because it costs nothing to maintain it. Of course, you’re crossing your fingers for more than just a $0 annual fee — namely, extra perks you don’t have to pay for.
Best for everyday rewards: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
If you want to earn the highest number of points on popular categories like gas, dining, travel and streaming services, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card could be a great choice.
You also get a decent signup bonus, an intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, cell phone protection and more — all without paying an annual fee.
Signup bonus.
Spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership and get 30,000 bonus points.
Earn points.
Earn 3x points on flights, hotels, car rentals, dining out or ordering in, rideshares and transit, gas and eligible streaming services. On everything else you buy, you’ll get 1x points.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months following your account opening. A variable APR of 14.24% to 26.74% applies thereafter.
No foreign transaction fees.
Use this card freely when traveling abroad without paying any international transaction fees. Other cards come with fees of up to 3% of each transaction.
No penalty APR.
The card only comes with late and returned payment fees of up to $37. After this, you won’t incur a penalty APR.
Cell phone protection.
When you pay your cell phone bill with this card, you can get reimbursed for damage or theft of your phone — up to $600 per claim and $1,200 every 12 months. If you lose your phone, however, you won’t be covered.
No annual fee.
You won’t pay an annual fee to own the card.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period, you must complete your transfers within 120 days of card opening. During this time, you’ll pay a fee of $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater. After that, the fee for balance transfers rises to 5%.
Intro offer limits.
If you had a Wells Fargo card within the last 15 months, you may not be eligible for the intro APR period or bonus offer.
Minimum credit line.
Your credit line can depend on several factors. But with this card, you can’t get a lower credit line than $1,500. Compared to other cards, this is just average.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card could be a great choice for those who want a simple travel rewards card. You’ll earn unlimited points on everything you buy — and if you have a Bank of America checking or savings account, you’ll get 10% more points. This bonus goes up to 75% if you’re a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
In addition, you’ll get a long intro APR period on purchases, a generous signup bonus and pay no annual fee to own the card.
Signup bonus.
Get 25,000 bonus points — worth $250 in statement credit — once you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of card membership.
Earn points.
Earn unlimited 1.5x points on everything you buy. Redeem points for statement credit, flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees.
Intro APR period on purchases.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 12 statement closing dates. After that, a variable APR of 16.74% to 24.74% applies.
No foreign transaction fees.
This could be your ideal travel card, as you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees when paying abroad.
No annual fee.
Pay no annual fee to own the card.
Penalty APR.
If you make a late payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $38. Bank of America may also impose a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable that you could be stuck with indefinitely.
Two types of cards.
If your approved credit line is less than $5,000, you’ll get a Platinum Plus® card. If you get a credit line over that amount, you’ll receive a Visa Signature® card.
For those who are stuck paying high interest on another card or plan on making a large purchase — the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card could be an excellent choice.
You won’t get any cool perks and features that other cards offer, but you’ll get an incredibly long interest-free period to consolidate your finances. And you’ll get that without paying an annual fee.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a long intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles following your account opening. Once the intro period passes, your rate will revert to a variable APR of 11.74% to 23.74%.
Cell phone protection.
When you pay your cell phone bill with your card, you’re covered against phone damage or theft up to $600 — with a $25 deductible. You can make two claims in a 12-month period for a total of $1,200.
No penalty APR.
If you make a late or returned payment, you’ll only pay a fee of up to $38. Other cards will also impose a penalty APR of up to 31%, which can last indefinitely.
Choose your own due date.
Get additional payment flexibility by choosing your due date.
No annual fee.
You get to consolidate your debt and save money without paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To get the intro APR period, you have to transfer your balances within 60 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees.
Purchases made outside the US will incur a fee of up to 3% of each transaction.
The Citi® Double Cash Card has one of the highest cashback rates that you can get with a card without an annual fee. In addition, you’ll get one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers. This could be ideal if you want to consolidate your debt and transfer your balances from other accounts.
Earn cash back.
Earn 1% cash back on every purchase you make and another 1% when you pay your balance for a total of 2% cash back. Compared to similar cards where you get 1.5% back, this gives you a higher earning potential.
Intro APR on balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Once the intro period passes, a variable APR of 15.24% to 25.24% applies. This is one of the longest intro APR periods you can get when compared to similar cards.
Citi Private Pass.
Get special access to presale tickets or VIP packages for concerts, sporting events, dining and more.
No annual fee.
All the cash back you earn comes as a pure reward, as the card has no annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
You must complete your transfers within four months of account opening to get the intro APR period. The amount you transfer — including fees — cannot exceed your credit limit.
Penalty APR.
If you make a single late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $35. Moreover, Citi may impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable that can last indefinitely. You could also lose your intro APR period.
Foreign transaction fees.
For purchases made outside of the US, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of each transaction.
If you plan on carrying a balance for a long time, you might want a card with a low interest rate. To that end, take a look at the Barclaycard Ring™ Mastercard® and Simmons Visa®. Neither card has an annual fee, and each offers a low interest rate.
Best for intro APR on balance transfers: Barclaycard Ring™ Mastercard®
The Barclaycard Ring™ Mastercard® is a simple but solid credit card with low interest on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances. There’s no annual fee, and you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees. That’s pretty much it as far as features go — but that’s enough to make it an excellent low-interest card.
Low interest rate.
Enjoy a
13.74% variable
APR for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, an APR of
13.74% variable
applies.
No foreign transaction fees.
Freely use your credit card when traveling abroad without incurring any international transaction fees. With other cards, you could pay a fee of up to 3% of each transaction.
Balance transfer fees.
Balance transfers that post to your account within the first 45 days After that, you won’t pay any balance transfer fees.
No annual fee.
Aside from saving money on interest, you’ll also save money by not paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period, you must complete your transfers within 45 days of account opening. Each transfer comes with a fee of $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater. If the requested transfer exceeds your credit line, Barclays will either decline your request or accept a partial amount.
No intro APR on purchases.
You get an intro APR period on balance transfers, but not on purchases.
The PenFed Gold Visa® Card can be a great choice for those looking for a low-APR credit card with a decent signup bonus. And that’s not the only perk that sets this card apart from the competition. You also get a long intro APR period on balance transfers, a low cash advance APR and no fees for cash advances, foreign transactions or owning the card.
Signup bonus.
Get $100 in statement credit after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days of card membership.
Relatively low APR.
Enjoy a variable APR of 8.99% to 17.99% on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances. Depending on your creditworthiness, you could qualify for an APR on the lower end.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for 12 months. After that, a variable APR of 8.99% to 17.99% applies.
No foreign transaction or cash advance fees.
Use your card freely when traveling abroad without incurring any foreign transaction fees. You also won’t be charged for cash advances, whereas other cards come with fees of up to 5% of each amount.
No annual fee.
You get all the perks and benefits without paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To get the intro APR period on balance transfers, you have to make your transfers by September 30, 2018.
Penalty APR.
If you don’t make the minimum payment within 60 days of its due date, you may incur a penalty APR of 17.99%. You have to make three consecutive on-time payments to revert your rate back to a lower APR.
If you’re looking for a simple card with a low APR on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances, the Simmons Visa® could be worth considering. You won’t get an intro APR period, but the APR you do get is one of the lowest out there. You also won’t pay any balance transfer fees, which can help if you’re looking to move large balances, or an annual fee to own the card.
Low APR on balance transfers and purchases.
Get a variable APR of 10% on balance transfers and purchases. This is low, considering the average APR on other cards is 16% and some even soar as high as 26%.
Low APR on cash advances.
The card comes with a variable APR of 14% on cash advances. Compared to other cards that have cash advance APRs as high as 27%, this is relatively low.
No balance transfer fees.
You won’t pay any fees for making balance transfers. Other cards charge a fee of up to 5% of each transaction.
No penalty APR.
For late and returned payments, you’ll pay a fee of up to $35 — and that’s it. Other cards come with a penalty APR of up to 31% that can last indefinitely.
No annual fee.
Keep this card long term without paying an annual fee.
No intro APR period.
The card comes with a low APR on purchases and balance transfers, but you won’t get an interest-free period.
Foreign transaction fees.
When you use your card outside of the US, you’ll pay a fee of 2% of each transaction.
The Simmons Rewards Visa Signature® can be a good choice for those looking to earn rewards on all of their purchases while saving on interest. You’ll get one of the lowest APRs on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances, and you won’t pay an annual fee to own the card.
Earn rewards.
For every dollar you spend, you’ll earn 1.25 points. Redeem your points for airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards and more. You need as little as 10,000 points — worth around $100 — to get an airline ticket.
Low APR on balance transfers and purchases.
Enjoy a variable APR of 12% on balance transfers and purchases. This is low, considering the APR on other cards can be up to 26%.
Low APR on cash advances.
For cash advances, you’ll accrue a variable APR of 16%. This is low compared to other cards where the cash advance APR can be up to 27%.
No balance transfer fees.
When you make balance transfers with this card, you won’t pay any fees. With other cards, you can incur a fee of up to 5% of each transfer.
No penalty APR.
For late or returned payments, you’ll only pay a fee of up to $35. Unlike other cards, you won’t be slapped with a penalty APR.
No annual fee.
You won’t pay an annual fee to own the card.
No intro APR period.
You get a low APR on purchases and balance transfers, but you won’t get an interest-free period.
Foreign transaction fees.
If you’re traveling abroad, try to limit your card payments or you’ll incur a fee of 2% of each transaction.
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is a solid card that lets you make balance transfers without paying balance transfer fees. It also comes with rewards on all of your purchases and an easy-to-earn welcome offer — all without paying an annual fee.
Welcome offer.
Get 10,000 membership rewards points — worth up to $150 — after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 months. After that, a variable APR of 14.74% to 25.74% applies.
No balance transfer fees.
Save on balance transfers thanks to this card’s $0 balance transfer fees. Other cards charge fees of up to 5% of each transaction.
Earn membership points.
Earn 2x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 each year and 1x points on all other purchases. Redeem your points for gift cards, cash back, travel rewards, shopping directly at Amazon and more.
No annual fee.
You get all these perks and benefits without paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period, you have to make your transfers within 60 days of account opening. The maximum amount you can transfer is $7,500 or 75% of your credit limit, whichever is lower.
Penalty APR.
For any late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $38. Amex may also impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable. You’ll need to make on-time payments for six consecutive months to revert back to a lower rate.
Foreign transaction fees.
When you use your card abroad, you’ll pay a fee of 2.7% of each transaction.
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a simple card that doesn’t come with many perks and benefits. But what it does offer is one of the longest intro APR periods on purchases and balance transfers you can get. And you won’t pay an annual fee.
Intro APR period.
Get a long 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR of 11.74% to 23.74% applies.
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.
No penalty APR.
Late and returned payments only come with fees of up to $38 — not a penalty APR. With other cards, you could incur a penalty APR of up to 31%, which can last indefinitely.
Choose your own due date.
Get additional payment flexibility by choosing your due date.
No annual fee.
Keep this card long term without paying an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
The intro APR period only applies to balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees.
You’ll pay a fee of up to 3% of each transaction you make when traveling abroad.
If you’re looking for a card with minimal fees and a long intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity® Card may be just what you’re looking for.
Aside from the long intro APR period, you’ll pay no late payment fees and you won’t incur a penalty APR. You can also choose your own due date to get more flexibility in paying your balance.
Intro APR period.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases for the first 18 months. After that, your rate reverts to a variable APR of 15.74% to 25.74%.
No late payment fees or penalty APR.
Making a late payment on other cards will cost you up to $38 in fees and a penalty APR of up to 31%, which could last indefinitely. With this card, you get none of that.
Choose your due date.
Select when you pay your bill — at the beginning, middle or end of the month.
Citi perks.
Enjoy perks like special access to ticket presales for concerts and sporting events, identity theft solutions, concierge, Apple Pay and more.
Balance transfer limits.
To qualify for the intro APR period, you need to make balance transfers with the first four months of account opening. Each transfer comes with a fee of $5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater. Citi won’t accept any balance transfers coming from accounts they’ve issued to you, and your requested transfer amount can’t exceed your credit limit.
Foreign transaction fees.
When traveling outside of the US, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of each transaction.
For those interested in utilizing a long intro APR period on purchases using a cashback card — the Quicksilver® from Capital One® may be worth a look. You’ll save money on interest and could earn a signup bonus — all while earning cash back in the process. And there’s no annual fee to offset the rewards you’ll earn.
Earn cash back.
Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything you buy. Redeem your rewards for statement credit, gift cards and more.
Signup bonus.
Spend $500 within the first 3 months of card membership to earn a $150 cash bonus. This is relatively easy to obtain compared to similar cards.
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months your account is open. After that, a variable APR of 14.74%, 20.74% or 24.74% applies.
No foreign transaction fees.
Use your card freely when traveling abroad without incurring any international transaction fees. Other cards come with fees of up to 3% of each transaction.
No annual fee.
Take advantage of the card’s perks and benefits without paying an annual fee.
Minimum credit line.
The minimum credit line you’ll get with this card is $1,000. This is relatively low compared to other cards that have starting credit lines of $2,000 and even $5,000.
Late payment fees.
Each late payment comes with a fee of up to $38. However, you won’t incur a penalty APR with this card.
If you have bad or nonexistent credit, a secured credit card can help. This type of card requires you to put money down as collateral in case you fail to make payments.
Since your main goal with a secured card is to build credit, look for cards that report payments to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Best for lowest APR: Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card
Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card
The Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card can be a decent choice for those looking to build their credit while paying a low APR on purchases. With this card, you’ll get full control over your credit line, as that is the sum you deposit to an FDIC-insured account at Green Dot Bank.
However, the card has many fees. Make sure you read the fine print to avoid any surprises.
Build your credit.
The card reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If you keep your utilization low and pay your balance on time, you’ll be on a good track to build your credit.
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.
No minimum credit score.
You can apply without a credit history, or if you have a poor credit score.
Credit line.
Your security deposit at Green Dot bank acts as your credit line. This gives you full control over the money you need to use, starting from $200 up to $5,000.
Annual fee.
The card comes with an annual fee of $49.
Foreign transaction fee.
You’ll pay a 3% fee of the amount of each transaction you make outside of the US.
Other fees.
To get a replacement card, you’ll pay $29; For expedited payment, you’ll pay a $10 fee for each payment; For a cash advance check stop payment, there’s a $29 fee; To get a credit limit increase costs up to $49; Upgrade costs up to $49; Reinstatement of the card costs $29.
Cash advance limitation.
You can only use half of your credit line for cash advances. This means if your credit line is $200, you can only make a $100 cash advance.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card can be a great card if you’re trying to build your credit and earn cash back at the same time. And with responsible use, you’ll not only build your credit, but you could graduate to an unsecured card from Discover after eight months of account opening.
Build your credit.
With responsible use of the card, you’ll get to build your credit score as the card reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Credit line.
Your security deposit will determine the amount of your credit line, which can be from $200 up to $2,500.
Graduation to an unsecured card.
Discover will monitor your card activity starting after eight months when you opened your account. If you’re eligible, they can return your security deposit and upgrade your account to an unsecured card.
Cash back.
Earn 2% back on dining and gas up to $1,000 in combined purchases every three months. On everything else you buy, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Enjoy 10.99% intro APR period on balance transfers for 6 months. After that, a variable APR of 24.74% applies.
No annual fee.
You’ll need to make a security deposit, but you won’t pay an annual fee.
Balance transfer limits.
To use the intro APR period, you must complete your transfers until December 10, 2018.
Potentially high APR.
The card comes with an APR of 24.74% on purchases and balance transfers. This is high, considering other secured cards have an APR as low as 10%. But if you pay your balance on time — which you should do, since you’re trying to build your credit — the high APR won’t be a problem.
If you’re having a poor credit or no credit history at all, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card can be a good choice for you. They won’t pull your credit, so the chances are high that you’ll get approved. After that, you’ll make a security deposit that will act as your credit line, and you can start using your card responsibly to build your credit.
Build your credit.
The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, which can help you build your credit. All you have to do is keep your utilization low and make timely payments.
No credit check.
OpenSky only uses your ID document to confirm your identity. They won’t do a credit pull.
Credit line.
You have full control over your credit line as that is the sum of your security deposit. You can make a deposit from $200 up to $3,000.
Annual fee.
You’ll have to pay a $35 annual fee to own the card.
Foreign transaction fee.
This may not be a good travel card as you’ll pay a 3% fee of the amount of each transaction you make outside of the US.
Expedited shipping fee.
If you’re eager to get the card as soon as possible, be ready to pay a one-time $50 fee.
The Secured Mastercard® from Capital One® could be a good choice for those who are looking to get a secured card with a minimum deposit. With responsible use of the card, you’ll get to build your credit, and after a few months of timely payments, you could get a higher credit line without depositing new funds.
Build your credit.
With timely payments and responsible use of the card, you can build your credit.
Minimum security deposit.
Depending on your creditworthiness you can make a deposit of $49, $99 or $200 to get a credit line of $200. After you make five monthly payments on time, you can get a credit line increase up to $1,000 without needing to deposit more funds.
Choose your due date.
You can pick your own due date and the method of payment — by a check, online or by visiting a bank branch.
No penalty APR.
If you make a late payment, you’ll only pay a fee of up to $38. But you won’t incur a penalty APR.
No annual fee.
You’ll have to make a security deposit, but you won’t have to pay an annual fee.
High APR.
The APR for balance transfers, purchases and cash advances is 24.99%. That’s high compared to other secured cards where the APR can be as low as 10%.
As a business owner, your purchases keep your operation running. That’s when business credit cards come in handy. They reward you for spending on business-related expenses, and they often let you accrue points or miles on cards you open for employees.
Best for luxurious travel: Business Platinum Card® from American Express
For business owners who want to enjoy premium perks in their travel, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express could be an excellent choice. You’ll get complimentary access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, a 24/7 concierge services and a number of other useful perks and benefits.
You’ll also get to earn the highest number of points on amextravel.com booking, which you can redeem for cash back, gift cards, travel rewards and more.
Welcome offer.
Spend $10,000 in your first 3 months of card membership and get 50,000 bonus points. Spend additional $10,000 during this time and get another 25,000 bonus points for a total of 75,000 bonus points — that’s up to $750 worth of rewards.
Membership rewards.
Get 5x points on prepaid hotels and flights through amextravel.com and 1x points on everything else you buy. For purchases of $5,000 and more, you’ll get 1.5 points per dollar up to one million points per year.
Global Lounge Collection.
Get access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including the Centurion Lounge and International American Express lounges. You can also access Delta Sky Club when flying Delta. To get access to Priority Pass Select lounges, Airspace lounges and Escape lounges you’ll need to enroll first.
Airline fee credit.
Get $200 airline fee credit every year to use toward incidental air travel fees.
Concierge service.
Enjoy complimentary service, like arranging lunch meetings, landing concert tickets for your clients, booking transportation and more.
Hotel benefits.
Get gold status with Hilton and Starwood hotels and benefits at Fine Hotels and Resorts.
Premium roadside and global assistance.
If you need changing a tire, getting a tow or charging your battery, call the roadside assistance 24/7. You’ll get free of charge service up to four times per year. You also have access to 24/7 medical, legal, financial or other emergency service when traveling more than 100 miles from home
Annual fee.
To get all the perks and benefits, you’ll have to pay a $450 annual fee.
Not a credit card.
This is a hybrid credit/charge card, which means you must pay your entire balances when due. If you’re enrolled in Pay Over Time, you’ll have the option to carry a balance for eligible purchases and you’ll pay interest on the balance.
If you’re looking to get a business card with the highest signup bonus, then Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card could be worth taking a look. The card can be a great option for earning rewards on a variety of spending categories. But to get the highest redemption value, you should use your points toward travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Signup bonus.
Get 80,000 bonus points once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months when you opened your account. That’s up to $1,000 worth of travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Earn points.
Earn Ink Business Preferred℠ credit cardx points up to $150,000 per year in combined purchases on travel, shipping, Internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. After reaching the cap, you’ll earn Ink Business Preferred℠ credit cardx points. You also earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Reward redeeming options.
Redeem your points for cash back, gift cards or use them to purchase directly with Amazon. You’ll get the highest redemption value — 25% more — on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Point transfer.
Transfer your points with Chase partners in 1:1 ratio. Partners include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Marriott hotels, World of Hyatt hotels and more.
No foreign transaction fee.
The card can be an ideal travel companion as you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad. Other cards have up to 3% fee of the amount of each transaction.
Travel coverage.
If you need towing or charging your battery, call the roadside dispatch and they’ll help you out. You’re also covered if your car rental is damaged or stolen, and you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for accidental expenses you incur if your trip is canceled.
Annual fee.
You get all the benefits by paying a $95 annual fee.
Minimum credit line.
You may get a credit line depending on several factors, but know that the minimum credit line you can get is $5,000.
Penalty APR.
If you make a single late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee of up to $39, and Chase may impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable. Once you get the penalty APR, it may apply indefinitely to all your balances and future transactions.
Businesses that spend more than $200,000 per year and businesses that don’t spend much money on any particular category, could use a card like the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. You’ll earn unlimited cash back on everything you buy, and with free employee cards, you’ll earn even more cash back.
Cash back.
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all of your business purchases. Redeem your cash back as a statement credit, a check or use it for credits toward previous purchases.
Signup bonus.
Earn 500 bonus cash back once you spend $4,500 during your first 3 months of account opening.
Free employee cards.
Get your employees cards for free and earn even more cash back on their spending.
No foreign transaction fees.
You can freely use your card when traveling abroad and you won’t pay any fees for your transactions. Other cards have up to 3% fee of the amount of each transaction they make outside of the US.
Annual fee.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee starting from your second year.
Minimum credit line.
Your credit line depends on several factors. But you won’t get a credit line lower than $2,000. This is relatively low, considering some cards offer a minimum credit line of $5,000.
Penalty APR.
After you make a late payment, you’ll pay a late payment fee of up to $39. You may also incur a penalty APR of 31.15% variable.
If your business spends up to $50,000 annually on office supplies and on one of the selected categories, like gas, travel, dining and more — a card like the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express could be a great choice. In addition to cashback rewards, you’ll get a short APR period on purchases and you’ll be able to buy above your credit line, all without paying an annual fee.
Cash back.
Earn 5% back on office supplies and wireless telephone services. Earn 3% back on one category of your choice, including airline, hotel rooms, car rentals, gas, dining and more. Once you reach $50,000 per year on these categories, your cash back drops to 3%, which is also the cash back you earn on all other purchases.
Intro APR period on purchases.
Enjoy 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 9 months. After that, the rate reverts to a variable 13.99%, 18.99% or 20.99%.
Buy above your credit line.
You can spend more than your credit line allows. But this amount is not unlimited; it adjusts on your spending, your payment history and other factors determined by Amex.
No annual fee.
You get all the perks and benefits without paying an annual fee.
No balance transfers option.
With this card, you can’t make balance transfers.
Penalty APR.
Under certain circumstances, you could incur a penalty APR of 29.99% variable, which can apply for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. Also, you’ll lose the intro APR period.
Foreign transaction fees.
Using this card abroad will cost you 2.7% of the amount of each transaction you make.
A student credit card might be your first credit card. That said, it should whet your appetite for more powerful cards you’ll apply for later. Some cards are forgiving for mistakes you might make as a new cardholder; others aren’t so lenient but offer attractive rewards.
Best for intro APR on purchases: Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students
The Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students can be a decent choice if you’re looking to establish your credit history and earn rewards in the process. You’ll also get an intro APR period on purchases, and you won’t pay an annual fee.
Intro APR period on purchases.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 7 months. A variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24% applies thereafter.
Signup bonus.
Get 2,500 bonus points after you spend $500 in the first 3 months of card membership. This is worth $25 in gift cards, electronics and other rewards from the ThankYou® Rewards collection.
Earn points.
Earn 2x points on dining and entertainment and 1x points on everything else you buy.
No annual fee.
The card comes without an annual fee.
Low minimum credit line.
The minimum credit line you can get with this card is $500. This may seem low, but it’s kind of a standard in similar cards.
Penalty APR.
Once you make a late or returned payment, you’ll pay up to $35 fee and Citi may impose a penalty APR of 29.99% variable. The penalty APR can apply indefinitely, so try to avoid getting it in the first place.
Foreign transaction fees.
When you use your card abroad, you’ll pay a 3% fee of the amount of each transaction.
If you’re looking for a decent secured card to help you build your credit and earn rewards while going to college — the Discover it® Chrome for Students could be a good choice. You’ll get to earn higher cash back on dining and gas, you’ll get a short intro APR period on purchases and you’ll get a reward every year for your good grades.
Good grades rewards.
Every school year you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you’ll get $20 statement credit for up to five years.
Cash back.
Earn 2% cash back on gas and dining up to $1,000 in combined purchases every three months. On everything else you buy, get 1% back.
Cashback match.
Once the first year passes, Discover will match the cash back you earned during the year. This means, if you earned $100 in cash back for the first year, by the end of it, you’ll get $100 more.
Intro APR on purchases.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months. Your rate reverts to a variable 14.74% to 23.74% thereafter.
Intro APR on balance transfers.
Get 10.99% intro APR for the first 6 months. After that, your rate will be 14.74% to 23.74% variable.
No annual fee.
There is no annual fee to own the card.
Low minimum credit line.
With this card, you’ll get a minimum credit line of $500.
Balance transfer limits.
The intro APR period only applies for transfers you make until December 10, 2018.
The Journey® Student Credit Card from Capital One® could be an ideal card for students who want to build their credit and earn the highest cash back on all purchases. But there’s a catch — you have to pay your balance on time every month. And that’s not bad; you’ll get to earn more cash back and you’ll build your credit. Now that’s an incentive.
Cash back.
Earn 1% back on all of your purchases. Boost your cash back to 1.25% by paying on time every month. Redeem your cash back for statement credit or a check.
Build your credit.
With timely payments and low utilization, you’ll get to build your credit. Capital One also gives you unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor it.
Access to a higher credit line.
After you make five monthly payments on time, Capital One may give you a higher credit line.
No foreign transaction fees.
Use your card freely when traveling abroad without fear of incurring foreign transaction fees.
No annual fee.
Enjoy all the card’s perks without paying an annual fee.
High APR.
Your APR on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances is 24.98% variable. This is high compared to other secured cards, which can have an APR of 10%.
Low minimum credit line.
The card comes with one of the lowest minimum credit lines you can get of $300.
The Deserve® Edu Card doesn’t discriminate between domestic and foreign students — everyone is welcome to apply as long as they’re enrolled in a US university. The card can help you build your credit and you’ll earn cash back on all of your purchases.
Furthermore, you’ll find this card to be one of the rare secured cards that doesn’t require a security deposit.
Don’t have to be US citizen to apply.
You can be an international student enrolled in a US university to get the card. Also, you don’t need to have a Social Security number to apply.
Build your credit.
The card can help you build your credit. All you have to do is pay on time and keep your utilization low.
Cash back.
Earn 1% cash back on everything you buy.
Amazon Prime Student credit.
When you pay with your card for an Amazon Prime Student subscription, you’ll be reimbursed by a maximum of $59.
No deposit required.
Other secured cards ask you to deposit a certain amount which will be your credit line. The Deserve® Edu Card doesn’t require any deposit.
No foreign transaction fees.
Use this card when traveling outside of the US and you won’t pay international transaction fees.
No annual fee.
You’ll keep your expenses low without paying an annual fee for the card.
High APR.
Your APR on purchases will be 20.49%. This is relatively high when compared to other secured cards. But if you pay your balance on time, you shouldn’t worry about the APR.
No balance transfers and cash advances.
The card doesn’t allow for balance transfers or cash advances.
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 a card offer a $0 annual fee? A 0% intro APR for purchases? Excellent cash-back options? Chances are you’ll find a well-rounded card that’s attractive for you in every respect.
Required credit scores can vary. Typically, however, you will qualify for most cards with a good or excellent score (680+). If you have fair, bad or nonexistent credit, you may be limited to secured cards. These require initial deposits but will help you build your credit as long as you make timely payments.
With cash back, a percentage of your spending is paid back to you. For example, if you get a 1.5% rate on $100, you’ll get $1.50 cash back.
Points and miles are based on the same concept, except you trade them for other rewards. For example, you may get 2x miles per dollar you spend — that’ll net you 200 points if you spend $100. You can later redeem those miles for rewards like vacation getaways and travel statement credit.
An intro APR period means that you’ll pay a special interest rate for a certain period of time. For example, “0% APR on purchases for 15 months” means you’re not charged interest on any spending in the 15 months after you open your card.
Keep track of when your intro APR expires. If you haven’t paid off your purchases by the end of your intro APR, you’ll immediately accrue interest on your balance.
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for 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 to this page for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
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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 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 to this page 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