Up to 2% back when you redeem on SoFi accounts including crypto
SoFi Credit Card
Finder rating: 4/5
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The best credit cards for 2022
Our top picks for cash back, travel perks, balance transfers, students and more.
Finder’s credit card experts spent over 450 hours reviewing more than 500 credit cards to determine which cards are best in their respective categories for 2021. Our rankings are based on factors such as reward rates and redemption opportunities for reward cards, and intro period length and revert interest rates for 0% APR cards. Unlike our competitors, Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all credit cards and providers, not just those we partner with on the site.
Best credit cards by category
Here are a few of the latest cards to grab our attention for May 2022. Continue to read through our best credit cards list for even more favorites:
Finder rating: 4/5
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Finder rating: 4.4/5
Up to 5%: Best unlimited cashback card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating: 4.7/5
Easy-to-earn signup bonus and flat cash back on all purchases
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Finder rating: 4.2/5
Best rewards credit cards
When choosing this year’s top rewards cards, we looked at a number of factors, including rewards gained per dollar spent, available rewards categories, welcome offers, intro APR periods and other card perks or benefits. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
Best if you’re new to credit
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Finder rating 3.1 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 10% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | New to credit |
Best for large welcome offer
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
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 $2,000 according to our valuations: among the best on the market. And while the card's annual fee is steep, the card's excellent statement credits and perks makes up for it.
Pros
- Earn points. Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through Amex Travel. You can use your points toward gift cards, travel rewards, statement credit and more. On 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.
- 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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
| Welcome Offer | 100,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5x points |
| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for Gas
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Finder rating 3.4 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 4% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best for traveling families
American Express® Gold Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
While you could find a card that earns higher rewards on groceries, the same card can't stand up to the suite of travel perks and benefits the Amex Gold Card offers. The card also earns an impressive rate on dining, making this a great card to carry with you and your family when traveling.
Pros
- Reward points. Earn 4x points at 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. Other eligible 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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
| Welcome Offer | 60,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 4x points |
| Annual Fee | $250 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
Shifts within the credit cards industry and consumer spending habits ensured that several cards have moved positions this year, with the Blue Cash Preferred and Petal 2 both gaining a spot.
Best credit cards for cash back
When choosing this year’s top cashback cards, we looked at several factors, including cashback rewards gained per dollar spent, available cashback categories, welcome offers, intro APR periods and other card perks or benefits. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
Best for families
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
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 14.74% to 24.74% 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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 6% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $95 ongoing |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for groceries with no annual fee
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
While more cards are offering grocery rewards in today's market, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express still offers one of the best rates available for groceries at no cost and is a great pick for families.
Pros
- Intro APR period on purchases. The intro APR on purchases can also help with holiday spending or other family needs. Get a 0% intro APR period for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 14.74% to 24.74% 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 other eligible purchases.
- 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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 3% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for unlimited cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
New earning categories added to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have elevated this card to new heights. You'll earn great cash back no matter where you spend. And if you want to improve the value of this card further, you can move your rewards over to a Chase Sapphire card as part of the Chase Trifecta.
Pros
- Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 3% back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases on up to $20,000 spent total in your first year. This is a $300 value when maxed.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 15.24% to 23.99% 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.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for rotating categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ gained several new flat-rate earning categories within the last few years. This bolsters the card's earning potential year round, even on non-rotating categories. And like the Unlimited, you can choose to move your rewards to a Chase Sapphire card to bolster your redemption value.
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 15.24% to 23.99% 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.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for low credit
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card offers a similar consumer-friendly take on credit building as the Petal 2, though explicitly designed for those with poor credit. While it lacks the flat cash back rate of the Petal 2, it still offers between 2% and 10% cash back at select merchants, a rarity on cards designed for poor credit.
Pros
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- High potential credit limit. Your minimum credit limit starts at $300 and goes as high as $5,000, which is greater than average for a credit-building card.
- Reports to all three credit bureaus. Petal will report your credit activity to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Cons
- High APR. The Petal 1's APR ranges from 20.24% to 29.74% variable.
- Fees. Unlike the Petal 2, this card carries fees, including late payment fees.
Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 10% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 550 |
Best for flexibility and ease-of-use
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Finder rating 4.9 / 5 ★★★★★
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card was born from the evolving spending habits of consumers throughout the pandemic and focuses on flexibility. It essentially earns the big rewards you'd expect from a rotating category cashback card without putting the burden of category juggling on the cardholder. This flexibility and generosity is something we expect to see from more reward cards moving forward and it earns the Citi Custom Cash a spot on our list.
Pros
- Flexible rewards. The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns 5% back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 that cycle. After meeting the cap you'll earn 1% back until the next billing cycle. This puts its total accelerated earnings on par with a rotating category card, but without the quarterly limitations. Eligible categories are grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, drugstores, live entertainment, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, travel, transit and streaming services.
- Signup bonus. The card's $200 bonus is higher than the average you'd find on a 5% cashback card, which usually sticks to the $100 to $150 range if they offer a bonus.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
- High penalty APR. Missing payments on this card can result in a hefty penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable.
- Foreign transaction fees. This card isn't great for travelers abroad. You'll pay 3% on transactions made outside of the US.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
Chase served up some big changes to their flagship cards late in 2020, giving the Freedom lineup incredible cash back value as we head into 2021.
Best credit cards for balance transfers
When choosing this year’s top balance transfer cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including intro period length, the revert APR, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best card for a long intro balance transfer APR
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
After a period of time with a shorter intro length than typical, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is back with one of the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market, backed up by an equally strong purchase APR and no annual fee. Citi has also added a signup bonus to the mix, further differentiating the card from the Citi Simplicity and cementing the card's terrific up front value.
Pros
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 14.49% to 24.49% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 14.49% to 24.49% variable.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
- No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
- Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 21 months |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best card for ongoing rewards
Citi® Double Cash Card
Finder rating 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★
The Citi® Double Cash Card is not only one of the leading flat-rate cashback cards on the market, but it lets you save money on interest with a long balance transfer as well. This gives it a unique draw considering many balance transfer cards lost much of their value after the end of the intro APR period.
Pros
- Intro APR period. Get 18 months of 0% intro APR period when you open your account. A variable APR of 14.74% to 24.74% 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.
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 18 months |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 2% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for small purchases
Citi Rewards+® Card
Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★
In addition to a balance transfer opportunity, the Citi Rewards+® Card Card rounds up your rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. This makes it a valuable choice if you frequently make small purchases, with special appeal to citi-dwellers or those frequently on the move.
Pros
- 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 5x 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.
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 15 months |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5x points |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for poor credit
Discover it® Secured
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
The surprisingly strong Discover it® Secured not only offers a reward rate comparable to non-credit-building cards, but it offers a modest intro APR on balance transfers as well. There are just a handful of secured cards on the market with such an offer, though they can't match the overall value of the Discover it® Secured.
Pros
- Intro APR period. Get 6 months of 10.99% intro APR period on balance transfers 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.
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 10.99% for 6 months |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 2% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 300 |
Best for carrying a balances over time
Chase Slate Edge℠
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a unique proposition for cardholders, allowing you to reduce your APR down to a cap of 9.74% when you pay at least $1,000 annually and make your payments on time. While the card lacks rewards, this is quite a low rate and is one of the better card choices out there for carrying a balance if you can reach the cap.
Pros
- Signup bonus. Spend $500 on purchases in the first 6 months your account is open to earn in statement credit.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, reverting to 15.24% to 23.99% variable.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
- Intro offer on balance transfer fees gone. The original Chase Slate offered a 0% balance transfer fee offer for 60 days. This is no longer the case, as the Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a 60 days period of $3 balance transfer fees, reverting to 5%.
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 18 months |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
Consumer balance transfer options took a big hit in 2020, as many providers removed intro offers from their cards, or in some cases, removed the balance transfer feature entirely. Citi largely kept the feature on its cards, leading to the provider becoming the go-to balance transfer choice in many categories.
Best travel credit cards
When choosing this year’s top travel cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including annual fees, foreign transaction fees, airline or hotel brands, welcome offers, reward opportunities, redemption options and other features a consumer might consider in a travel card. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
Best for travel rewards with no annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the most rewarding no-annual-fee travel cards you can get. With up to 5% cash back on purchases at the Chase Travel Portal and an unlimited 1.5% back on all other purchases, it's hard to find a better alternative. For perspective, this card earns more on Chase travel than even the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase's luxury travel card.
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases. Earn 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and % back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases on up to $20,000 spent total in your first year. This is a $300 value when maxed.
- Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, a variable APR of 15.24% to 23.99% 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.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for everyday spending
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back on purchases made through the Chase travel portal, as well as 5% back on rotating quarterly categories. This is a comparable or even greater rewards rate you earn with several premium travel cards on the market. But unlike the $500 annual fee you pay with these cards, the Freedom Flex has a $0 annual fee.
Pros
- 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 on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, reverting to 15.24% to 23.99% 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.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for travel credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual travel credit with no airline or hotel restrictions. This shaves down a significant portion of the card's annual fee, leaving you with just $250 to make up for in perks. This is also higher than several competitor premium cards that offer either $200 or $250 in credit, or limit your use of the credit to specific purchases or fees.
Pros
- Annual travel credit. Get $300 in statement credit as reimbursement for your travel purchases every year on your card account anniversary.
- Signup bonus. Earn 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.
| Welcome Offer | 50,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 10x points |
| Annual Fee | $550 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best for large welcome offer
Best for hotels
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The IHG® Rewards Premier offers up to 26x total points on IHG purchases, which comes to around 13% back. You also get a free night on your card anniversary each year and fourth free night when you book with points. Most hotel cards get you between 5% and 10% back on hotel purchases and rarely give out free reward nights.
Pros
- Reward points. Earn 26x points on IHG stays, 5x points on travel, gas stations and restaurants and 3x points on everything else you buy.
- Signup bonus. Earn 140,000 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 $99 annually.
- No intro APR period. You won't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
| Welcome Offer | 140,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 26x points |
| Annual Fee | $99 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for flat-rate rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
This card offers 2x miles on every purchase, which is the highest flat-rate travel card you can find. Similar cards offer 1.5x miles and they rarely offer additional perks like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit.
Pros
- Reward miles. Earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases. Also earn 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
- Signup bonus. Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, or still earn miles after you spend in your first .
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | 75,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5x miles |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for gas
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Finder rating 4.9 / 5 ★★★★★
One of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card's eligible spending categories for 5% is gas stations. And while you would be dedicating the card's top spending categories purely to gas, this rate is higher than the 4% you'll find on other dedicated gas cards. Best of all, you can easily earn this same rate on another eligible category if you don't think you'll be driving much for a given month, ensuring the card's value doesn't go to waste
Pros
- Flexible rewards. The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns 5% back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 that cycle. After meeting the cap you'll earn 1% back until the next billing cycle. This puts its total accelerated earnings on par with a rotating category card, but without the quarterly limitations. Eligible categories are grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, drugstores, live entertainment, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, travel, transit and streaming services.
- Signup bonus. The card's $200 bonus is higher than the average you'd find on a 5% cashback card, which usually sticks to the $100 to $150 range if they offer a bonus.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cons
- High penalty APR. Missing payments on this card can result in a hefty penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable.
- Foreign transaction fees. This card isn't great for travelers abroad. You'll pay 3% on transactions made outside of the US.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for miles match after first year
Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
Finder rating 3.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Where most credit cards offer a simple signup bonus, the Discover it® Miles offers something better: a cashback match. In other words, Discover matches all the miles you earn during the year, without limits. Depending on your gas needs, this can result in a hefty bonus for the following year well worth springing for and possibly even eclipsing some of the stronger bonuses on the market.
Pros
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | Other |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5x miles |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
In late 2020 we saw a Chase Freedom takeover, and rightfully so. The two revamped Chase credit cards took over the spots as best for everyday spending and best rewards card with no annual fee.
The Amex Platinum Card didn’t stand idle as well. With the massive welcome offer it now stands as the king in its respective category.
Best credit cards with no annual fees
When choosing this year’s top no-annual-fee cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including APR, welcome offers, reward opportunities, redemption options and other features a consumer might consider in a no-annual-fee credit card. We highlighted those that stood out above the others in a particular category.
Best for cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® received several accelerated earning categories on top of its flat-rate earnings, immensely boosting its value. That means you not only get solid 1.5% back on all purchases, but up to 5% back on select categories, permanently. Along with the ability to transfer earned rewards to a Chase Sapphire card, it has overtaken the Citi Double Cash as the current industry standard for flat rate cashback credit cards.
Pros
- Earn cash back. Earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and % back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases on up to $20,000 spent total in your first year. This is a $300 value when maxed.
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 15 months 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 15.24% to 23.99% applies.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for rotating category rewards
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
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 5% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 15.24% to 23.99% 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.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for large signup bonus
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
Meeting the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card signup bonus criteria will get you around $600 in value, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card. And while the card is somewhat niche as a hotel card, it offers a high earning rate and additional perks, like 4th Night Free awards, that help elevate the overall value of this card and earn a spot on our list.
Pros
- Signup bonus. Earn 120,000 points once you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account.
- Earn reward points. Purchases made at IHG hotels earn 17x total points, purchases made on monthly bills, gas stations and restaurants earn 3x points, while all other purchases earn 2x points.
- Fourth reward night free. Every time you redeem your points for four or more reward nights, you get one reward night free.
Cons
- No intro APR period. If you're looking to save money on interest with 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, you may want to look for other credit cards.
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | 120,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 17x points |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for balance transfers
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has reclaimed its throne and currently sports the longest intro balance transfer APRs on the market. With the addition of a signup bonus, which is uncommon in a balance transfer card, you have an offering that shines across multiple categories.
Pros
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 14.49% to 24.49% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 14.49% to 24.49% variable.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
- No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
- Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
Chase’s incredibly strong Freedom cards grabbed several spots this year. Their raw earning potential combined with no annual fees means you can’t really go wrong with a Freedom card in many cases. Honorable mention goes to the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, which took over the longest intro balance transfer title from the Citi Simplicity® Card.
Best credit cards with 0% intro APR
When choosing this year’s top 0% APR credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, intro length, the revert APR, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best for groceries and gas
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with accelerated rewards on groceries and gas, and a respectable 0% intro APR period on purchases. This intro APR period adds to the card's flexibility and can help families that need to invest in house spending, save on holiday expenses or take the edge off the first few months of a new addition to the family.
Pros
- Intro APR on purchases. Get 0% intro APR period for following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 14.74% to 24.74% 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 other eligible purchases.
- 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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 6% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $95 ongoing |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for flat-rate cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
With the 2020 revamp, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been the best flat-rate cashback card you can get for nearly 2 years and counting. The card would prove plenty worthy even without an intro APR, but the addition of a 15-month intro period turns this card into a do-no-wrong kind of addition to your wallet.
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Also, earn % 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 and balance transfers made within the first 15 months when you open your account. After that, your rate reverts to 15.24% to 23.99% variable.
- Signup bonus. Earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases on up to $20,000 spent total in your first year. This is a $300 value when maxed.
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.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for no late fees
Citi Simplicity® Card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
Largely speaking, if the presence or absence of late fees is a significant part of your credit card decision, you might want to shore up your financial habits before applying for one. With that said, the Citi Simplicity® Card is a simple and friendly card with few fees and other potential distractions like rewards.
Pros
- Intro APR period. Get 21 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases after you open your account. Once the intro APR period ends, your rate reverts to variable 15.49% to 25.49%.
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for longest purchase intro APR
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on purchases and balance transfers, beating even the Citi Diamond Preferred in length. This makes it an excellent card for consolidating large amounts of debt as you'll have nearly 2 years to make the payments necessary.
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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
What’s changed in 2022
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.
Best for no late fees
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Finder rating 3.1 / 5 ★★★★★
Most reward cards come with numerous fees, including late payment fees. With the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card, fees are one thing you don't have to worry about. As the name suggests, there are no fees associated with this card whatsoever, which makes it one of the most forgiving credit cards on the market when combined with the potential low APR.
Pros
- 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.
Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 10% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | New to credit |
Best for large signup bonus
TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card
Finder rating 3.5 / 5 ★★★★★
The TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card is a rare card that offers low interest rates and a solid signup bonus worth up to $250. It also lets you earn miles on travel and dining purchases. The card's balance transfer offer is the cherry on top, though just take care to weigh the card's ongoing annual fee against your use of the card.
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.
| Welcome Offer | 25,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 3x miles |
| Annual Fee | $89 ongoing |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best for easy to access low ongoing APR
Simmons Visa®
Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★
With the Simmons Visa®, you get one of the lowest APRs currently on the market that isn't tied to a prerequisite like you'd find with the Chase Slate Edge. As a trade-off, the card is relatively bareboned and there are no rewards or intro APR period on purchases. But if all you're concerned with is the card's APR, this card is a great pick.
Pros
- Low APR. You get variable APR on purchases, which is the lowest you can find.
- No annual fee. There's no annual fee for the card.
- Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers within your first 12 months when you open your account. After that, a variable APR of applies.
Cons
- No intro APR period on purchases. You only get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, but not un purchases.
- Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 2% of the amount.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best for rewards
Discover it® Cash Back
Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
What the Discover it® Cash Back lacks in additional perks or earning categories, it makes up for with the potential for a very low ongoing APR. Depending on your creditworthiness, you can start with a 12.24% variable APR, far below the 16% industry average. The card's 14 months intro APR on purchases and 14 months intro APR on balance transfers is nothing to sneeze at either, and the cash back match for the first year also makes one of the better cards available for immediate up front value.
Pros
- Rewards. Great cash back in rotating categories. Earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend on purchases each quarter in eligible rotating categories, such as at gas stations, restaurants, Amazon.com, grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 1% cash back after you've hit the spending cap each quarter, and on all other purchases.
- Intro APR. 0% for 14 months following your account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, your purchase and balance transfer APR will be between 12.24% to 23.24% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
- Intro APR. 0% for 14 months following your account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, your purchase and balance transfer APR will be between 12.24% to 23.24% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
- Cashback match. Discover will match all the cash back you have earned at the end of your first year.
Cons
- Balance transfer limitations. You must complete your balance transfers until a certain date to use the 0% intro APR period.
Cashback categories. You don't know what the 5% cashback categories will be until the start of each year.
| Welcome Offer | Other |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
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.
Best business credit cards
When choosing this year’s top business credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, free employee cards, credit limit, reward opportunities, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best for rewards on office supplies, internet and phone
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
The is a great card for earning rewards on ongoing business expenses thanks to a massive cashback rate on office supplies, Internet and phone services for your first $25,000 spent annually. No other business card on the market matches this rate. The card also offers cash back on gas and dining, making it a decent pick for business travel, too.
Pros
- 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 13.49% to 19.49% applies thereafter.
Cons
- No balance transfer offer. No 0% intro APR period on balance transfers.
- Foreign transaction fees. Incur a 3% transaction fee on all purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants.
| Welcome Offer | $750 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for no personal guarantee required
Brex 30 Card
Finder rating 4.9 / 5 ★★★★★
Business cards with no personal guarantee have become more popular since 2020, thanks in part to the Brex 30 card. By requiring no personal guarantee, 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. Coupled together, all of these features make for a card rewarding for startups and small businesses alike.
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.
| Welcome Offer | Other points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 8x points |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | New to credit |
Best for unlimited cash back
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
If you don't want to worry about keeping track of reward categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card keeps things simple. You can earn a respectable 1.5% back on all of your business purchases without worrying about spend requirements or juggling categories. The card also has a surprisingly robust welcome offer, letting you earn $750 after meeting the spend requirements. Most flat cashback credit card welcome offers hover in the $200 range, so this is a great deal for businesses.
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $750 cash bonus after you spend $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 13.49% to 19.49% applies.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
| Welcome Offer | $750 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best business credit card for signup bonus
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
| Welcome Offer | 100,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 3x points |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for new businesses
Ramp Visa® Commercial Card
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
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
- Charge card. The Ramp Visa® Commercial Card is a charge card, which means you'll need to pay off your statement balance at the end of each month.
- Concrete signup bonuses. There isn't a general signup bonus to choose from with the Ramp Card. If one of the 18 offers don't fit your needs, then you're out of luck.
| Welcome Offer | Other |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best for selecting your bonus category
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
Being able to choose your highest rewards category is a great boon when running a business. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card lets you choose from several common business expenses, such as office supplies and travel, for your highest earn category of 3%. And for Business Platinum or Preferred Rewards members, the value of this card is even greater, cementing this card in the upper echelon of rewards cards.
Pros
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | $300 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 3% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best business credit card for balance transfers
U.S. Bank Business Platinum
Finder rating 3.4 / 5 ★★★★★
With less balance transfer offers on the market than before, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum has become this year's best bet for business owners looking to consolidate debts. While the card doesn't offer a signup bonus or rewards, it doesn't charge an annual fee which makes it a comfy choice for businesses. And if you need to invest in your business, the card also comes with an intro APR on purchases.
Pros
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, reverting to a variable APR of 12.74% to 21.74%.
- 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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 740 |
Best business credit card for luxury travel
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
Like its consumer counterpart, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is is all about luxury. You gain access to more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world, including access to the much praised Centurion Lounge.
Of course, this card also comes with other luxury perks, including hotel benefits, travel credits and more. The sum of these perks and features well outweigh the cost of the card, making this a great choice if your employees are constantly on the move abroad.
Pros
- Global Lounge Collection. Get access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including the Centurion Lounge, International American Express lounges and Delta Sky Club when flying Delta. To get access to Priority Pass Select, Airspace and Escape lounges, you'll need to enroll first.
- Welcome offer. Spend $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 x points on prepaid hotels and flights through Amex Travel, 1.5x points on eligible purchases at US construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Get 1x points on everything else you buy.
Cons
- High annual fee. This is one of the more expensive business cards with a $695 annual fee.
| Welcome Offer | 120,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 5x points |
| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Best business credit card for building credit
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 300 |
Best for payment flexibility
The Plum Card® from American Express
Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $250 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
What’s changed in 2022
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 Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card and U.S. Bank Business Platinum offering businesses extra wiggle room in terms of rewards and balance transfers respectively.
Best secured and credit building
When choosing this year’s top secured credit cards, we compared a number of factors among eligible cards, including fees, required deposit, credit limit, reward opportunities, welcome offers and any additional rewards or perks offered. We highlighted cards that stood out in one or more of these categories.
Best for lowest ongoing APR
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Finder rating 3.6 / 5 ★★★★★
This card is designed to help you build credit while offering a low APR on purchases should you need to carry a balance. Notable is the fixed nature of the card's APR, meaning you don't have to worry about the APR changing down the line.
Pros
- Fixed APR. Most cards come with a variable APR, but with this card, you'll get one of the lowest APRs at 10.24% 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.