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The best credit cards 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.
Here are a few of the latest cards to grab our attention for October 2021. Continue to read through our best credit cards list for even more favorites:
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.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the market-standard for family reward cards, as it offers a great mix of accessibility and reward potential on everyday purchases for a low annual fee. Even with a $6,000 spending cap, the 6% back on US supermarkets is unmatched by any other card.
Pros
Welcome offer. Earn $300 after spending $3,000 in purchases during your first 6 months of card membership.
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.
Cons
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
$300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
The consumer-friendly Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card doesn't require a credit score, charges no fees and comes with up to 1.5% cash back to boot. In fact, the Petal 2 is one of the only cards on the market to offer this level of rewards without requiring a single fee. If you're new to credit, it's hard to find a more forgiving card.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
Despite the branding, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is the top gas card on the market, offering a stellar 4% back on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%). Of course, this card also offers cash back at Costco as well as restaurants and travel, making it a great card for families on the move that want to reinvest their rewards into Costco.
Pros
Annual fee. 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.
Cons
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.
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 $7,000 according to our valuations: the best on the market. And while the card's annual fee is steep, the card's excellent statement credits and perks makes up for it.
Pros
Earn points. Earn 5x points on flights 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. Your 5x points on flights are capped on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after.
Welcome offer. Get 100,000 membership rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership. Also earn 10x points at restaurants and US Shop Small retailers, up to $25,000 within your first 6 months of account opening. That's up to $7,000 worth of rewards when transferred to travel partners.
Travel 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. Also receive up to $200 in credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel.
Cons
Annual fee. As a luxury card, the Amex Platinum Card requires a $695 annual fee for use.
Narrow reward categories. This card is only particularly strong at earning rewards on travel and dining.
Annual fee
$695
Purchase APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
100,000 points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 in combined eligible purchases in the same timeframe
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.
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.
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.
Pros
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 $200 bonus after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months following your account opening.
Cons
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
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
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.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 5% 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.
Cons
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
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.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
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.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
High potential credit limit. Your minimum credit limit starts at $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.
Cons
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.
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.
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.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Intro APRs. You'll an 12 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, reverting to 13.74% to 23.74% variable.
Additional cards free. You won't pay a fee to add additional cardholders to your account.
Cons
Balance transfer fees. You'll pay the greater of $5 or 5% 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
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 21 months (then 13.74% to 23.74% variable)
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
Up to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
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.
Pros
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 20,000 bonus points once you spend $1,500 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.
Cons
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
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.49% to 23.49% variable)
The surprisingly strong Discover it® Secured not only offers a reward rate comparable to non-credit-building cards, but it offers a modest intro APR on balance transfers as well.
Pros
Intro APR period. Get 6 months of 10.99% intro APR period when you open your account. A variable APR of 22.99% applies thereafter.
Cash back. Earn 2% back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter, and 1% back after that. Earn 1% back on everything else.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the card.
Cons
Balance transfer fee. This card comes with an intro balance transfer fee of $0%, reverting to 5% for balance transfers made after a rolling deadline.
No intro APR on purchases. This card only offers an intro APR on balance transfers.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
22.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 22.99% variable)
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.
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.
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.
Pros
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 5% 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.
Cons
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
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.
Pros
Annual travel credit. Get $300 in statement credit as reimbursement for your travel purchases every year on your card account anniversary.
Signup bonus. Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account. This is worth $750 if you redeem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Rewards points. Earn 5x points on flights booked through Chase, 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, 10x points on Chase Dining, 3x points on all other travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases. You also earn 5x points on Lyft purchases until March 2022.
Cons
Annual fee. You'll pay $550 annual fee for the card.
No intro APR period. Like many other travel cards, you won't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both.
Excellent credit score required. Being a premium card, your chances of approval greatly increase with a credit score of 740 or higher.
Annual fee
$550
Purchase APR
16.99% to 23.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $750 through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
With a welcome offer worth up to $7,000 in redemption value when maxed out according to our valuations, 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.
Pros
Welcome offer. Earn 100,000 membership rewards points after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, earn 10x points at restaurants and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 in combined purchases for the first 6 months. That's up to $7,000 worth of rewards when transferred to travel partners.
Reward points. 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.
Cons
Annual fee. Expect to pay $695 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
$695
Purchase APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
100,000 points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 in combined eligible purchases in the same timeframe
The Costco Anywhere Visa offers the highest cashback rate on gas purchases. On the downside, you can only redeem your rewards once each year.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
This card offers 2x miles on every purchase, which is the highest flat-rate travel card you can find. Similar cards offer 1.5x miles and they rarely offer additional perks like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit.
Pros
Reward miles. Earn an unlimited 2x miles on all purchases, except on Uber Eats where you earn 2x points through Jnuary 2021.
Signup bonus. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, or still earn miles after you spend in your first .
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit. Get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee statement credit up to $100. You get this credit once every four years.
Cons
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
15.99% to 23.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
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.
When choosing this year’s top no-annual-fee cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including APR, welcome offers, reward opportunities, redemption options and other features a consumer might consider in a no-annual-fee credit card. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® received several accelerated earning categories on top of its flat-rate earnings, boosting immensely boosting its value. Now it has overtaken the Citi Double Cash as the current industry standard for flat rate cashback credit cards.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 5% 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.
Cons
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers excellent rotating cash back in useful categories. You'll also find a good signup bonus for a no-annual-fee card, as well as an intro APR on purchases.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter.
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
No intro APR period. If you're looking to save money on interest with 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, you may want to look for other credit cards.
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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)
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.
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
$300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
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.
Pros
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 5% 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.
Cons
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, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
The Citi Simplicity® Card is a simple card with no late payment fees, no annual fee, but also with no rewards.
Pros
Intro APR period. Get 21 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.
Cons
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 12 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 21 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable)
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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)
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 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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
Professionals recently graduated from college and professionals relocating to the US can use the Jasper Cash Back Mastercard® to build credit and earn cash back.
Pros
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 1% for a full year. Referrals that open their account will also enjoy an additional 1% on their base earning rate for their first 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.
Cons
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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)
The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Union Strong Mastercard® Credit Card offers generous rewards and some of the lowest interest rates you can find.
Pros
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%.
Cons
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)
We added the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card and the Jasper Cash Back Mastercard® cards to our best list because of their low APRs and credit-building and reward value.
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Can't carry a balance. You must pay your full balance before your due date, which is 30 days after the close of your statement period.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
Up to $150,000 worth of credits and offers for business services like Amazon Web Services, Slack, Zoom, Google Ads and more
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Annual fee. The card costs $95 annually.
No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
Annual fee
$95
Purchase APR
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
Being able to choose your highest rewards category is a great boon when running a business. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards lets you choose from several common business expenses, such as office supplies and travel, while supplementing your earnings if you're a Business Platinum or Preferred Rewards member.
Pros
Signup bonus. Get a $300 statement credit bonus after you spend $3,000 in your first 90 days of account opening.
Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on a category of your choice: gas, office supplies, travel, telecom and wireless services, computer services and business consulting services. Earn 2% cash back on dining and 1% back on everything else you buy. However, there's a cap of $50,000 in combined purchases in the 3% and 2% categories each year, after that you'll earn 1% back.
Potentially more cashback rewards. Get up to 75% bonus cash back on all purchases if you're a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum member.
Cons
No balance transfer offer. No 0% intro APR period on balance transfers.
Foreign transaction fees. Incur a 3% foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad of with foreign merchants.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 9 billing cycles (then 12.24% to 22.24% variable)
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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)
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.
Pros
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 120,000 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, 1.5x points on select business categories 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.
Cons
High annual fee. This is one of the more expensive business cards with a $595 annual fee.
Annual fee
$595
Welcome Offer
120,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
18 different signup bonuses, worth thousands of dollars in value
American Express's Plum Card offers a bit more flexibility than its other business offerings. So long as you pay at least 10% of your balance before the due date, Amex offers a 60-day grace period on interest. For businesses uncertain about their finances within their first few months, this extra grace period can help keep things afloat.
Pros
Long grace period. You'll enjoy a 60-day grace period on purchases, so long as you pay 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.
Cons
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)
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.
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
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
With a cashback rate rivaling non-secured cards, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured is probably the most rewarding secured credit card you can find.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
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.
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%.
Pros
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%.
Cons
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)
This card offers solid, consistent rewards that you can redeem as statement credit for a variety of travel purchases. An excellent choice for a study-abroad trip, as you'll pay no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
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 13.99% to 23.99%.
Cons
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 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Welcome Offer
25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students offers strong rewards in a variety of common student spend categories. Its cashback rates are among the highest you'll find for student cards.
Pros
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 15 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.
Cons
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 15 statement closing dates (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
The Bank of America® Customized 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.
There is no single “best” credit card out there. A card’s value ultimately comes down to whether it delivers the features you need and you’ll use to your financial benefit. You’ll want to ask yourself a few questions to help you decide which credit card features are most important in your final choice.
Will you need to carry a balance in the future? While it’s a good practice to pay off your credit card balance at the end of each month, a low-interest rate can let you carry a balance without incurring much interest.
Are you looking to save on interest? An intro APR on purchases can let you make several large payments and pay them off over time without interest. 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. Both are powerful ways to save money you may have spent otherwise.
Do you want to pay an annual fee? A credit card that offers rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee is pure profit back into your account. If you’re given the option to obtain a credit card with rewards, and it otherwise fulfills your other financial needs, you’ll want to take that opportunity.
Are there certain credit card perks you’d like? Many cards offer additional perks, such as cell phone protection or travel insurance. These offer some great additional value to your card, especially if your card also doesn’t require an annual fee.
What does a best credit card look like?
Here are some examples of what standout features some of the best credit cards on the market have.
Type of card and example
What a best card looks like
Intro APR Card: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Long intro APR: 12 months
Intro APR on purchases AND balance transfers
No annual fee
Higher than average balance transfer time limit at 4 months
Cash back card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Unlimited 1.5% cash back AND accelerated earning categories in travel, dining and drugstores
No annual fee
Intro purchase APR: 15 months
Welcome offer: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Travel card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Large welcome offer: 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
Using perks can easily pay for the cost of the card
Secured card: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Doesn’t check credit score during application
Low annual fee
Reports to all three major credit bureaus
How we choose our top credit cards
Though there are a lot of factors that go into how we choose the best credit cards in a given category, a few of the more important factors included the card’s value vs the cost and its unique features and performance vs the competition. You can check out our full methodology for more information on our decisions.
You can also compare all credit cards for a better sense of the features you’ll find on the average credit card.
What is the best credit card company?
Just as there 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.
Provider
JD Power Rating (1,000 point scale)
Better Business Bureau Rating
American Express
838
A+
Discover
837
A+
Bank of America
812
A+
Chase
809
A+
Capital One
808
A
Citi
801
F
Synchrony Bank
800
A+
Wells Fargo
800
NR
Barclays
796
A+
U.S. Bank
786
A+
Credit One Bank
739
A-
What makes a credit card company “the best”?
Credit card companies that are known as the “best” usually specialize in one area where they outperform competitors. They will focus on serving their niche market through quality, variety or both.
Here are a few examples from some of the more popular card issuers today. You’ll note that in each example, a different type of cardholder stands to most benefit from the services offered.
Amex:The products of American Express cater to cardholders in the high-end market, offering numerous perks and benefits. This includes concierge service, Centurion Lounge access, ShopRunner membership after you enroll and more.
Chase: You’ll find that Chase offers a wide selection of credit cards for nearly every type of cardholder. Chase also possesses one of the more valuable rewards programs in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Citi: When it comes to rewards, Citibank runs head to head with Chase and Amex. However, Citi’s cashback cards, in particular, are standouts in the industry and a go-to for consumers looking for a simple and valuable cashback program.
Discover: Discover is known in part for not offering any credit cards that require annual fees. Despite this, Discover still offers some great cards packed with rewards and will match rewards earned at the end of the first year in lieu of a traditional signup bonus.
What makes the credit card the best depends on what matters to you most and how you spend your money. Alex Claro, VPN analyst at Credit Donkey, tells Finder, “Some credit cards provide a variety of incentives, including cash back, redeemable miles or points, and discounts on future purchases.” He adds that,
“You can earn rewards on some or all of your purchases, and depending on the rewards program, you can redeem them once you’ve earned a specific amount. Travel and trip cancellation insurance, rental car insurance, extended warranty, and purchase and price protection are examples of credit card benefits that differ per credit card.”
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.
Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards and investments writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
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.
It is worth noting that there are credit builder credit cards you can use to build your credit history. So, be sure to explore them.
Also, you may consider comparing secured credit cards as they do not have a credit check and will likely be easier for you to be approved of and build you credit. With a secured credit card, you will have to make a security deposit that will be your initial credit limit. Making on-time payments and having no defaults will build a good credit score.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for a card.
If you have excellent credit, you have more options when it comes to shopping for perks. If you travel often, AMEX is known for its traveler and airline perks. If you need a balance transfer, Citibank may have a contender with the Citi Simplicity.
For a list of options of No Annual Fee cards, you may check the table of no-fee cards at the top of the page you’re viewing. You may also go check our page on no annual fee credit cards for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
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