Rob Berger

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14 Best Credit Cards of 2021

January 1, 2021 by Rob Berger

I’ve monitored credit card offers since 2007. A lot has changed since then, as credit card rewards have grown in value. From a database of hundreds of cards, this article contains what I think our the overall best credit cards. This list is updated monthly.

Finding the best credit cards is both an art and a science. To some extent, it’s about the numbers. You look for cards with the lowest interest rates or fees, or the highest rewards. But it’s also about matching the best credit card with your specific financial needs.

As a result, the top card will vary from one person to the next. You should consider what your financial goals are, such as earning rewards, paying down debt with a 0% offer, or just having an everyday card you can use. You also need to consider your credit score. If you don’t know your score, there are plenty of ways to access your score for free.

With those caveats in mind, we’ve assembled a list of the Best Credit Cards for 2021. With each category we’ve included a link to a larger list of credit cards. And following this list, you’ll find more details about these offers and information about our ranking methodology.

Article Roadmap

Best Credit Cards of January 2021

Credit Card	Best for	Key Benefit
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card	Signup Bonus	60,000 Bonus Miles
Citi Double Cash Credit Card	Simple Cash Back	2% Cash Back*
Chase Freedom Flex	Bonus Cash Back	Up to 5% Cash Back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	Groceries	Up to 6% Cash Back
Secured MasterCard® from Capital One	Building Credit	Reports to all 3 Credit Bureaus
Chase Freedom Unlimited	Travel	Up to 5% Cash Back
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card	0% APR	0% for 20 Billing Cycles
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One	Student	Up to 1.25% Cash Back
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	Fair Credit	1.5% Cash Back

*You earn 1% at the time of purchases and 1% when you pay your credit card bill.

Best Overall Credit Cards

There are the cards that make the cut as the best overall. I carry and regularly use many of these cards. I should add that I save and invest ALL of the rewards earned from these cards. For more on my approach to credit card rewards, check out this video:

Here are my top three cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card makes the cut for several reasons. It has an excellent signup bonus, up to 2x rewards and unparalleled travel benefits and perks.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Learn More

Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first months. These points are worth $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
$0 foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
$95 Annual Fee

This card does come with a $95 annual fee. The benefits, however, make the card well worth the cost.

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase just introduced the Chase Freedom Flex and it’s loaded with rewards. It’s arguably one of the most rewarding cash back cards available today, and that’s why it made our list here.

Chase Freedom Flex

Learn More

$200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout or eligible delivery services.
3% on drugstore purchases
5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories every quarter (activation required)
1% on all other purchases
5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022
Free access to your credit score
0% APR introductory rate for 15 months on purchases.
No annual fee

Read our full review here.

Cash Back Cards

There are two approaches to cash back cards. Either you carry one card with excellent rewards, or you carry multiple cards to get the most out of every purchase. The one card approach is simple, but doesn’t maximize your rewards. The multiple card approach is a bit of a hassle, but you get the most cash back.

If you want to maximize your cash, the Chase Freedom Flex mentioned above and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express are two excellent options.

Here are details on these and other cash back credit cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited

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Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months.
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
Earn 3% cash back at drugstores
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases
Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey
No annual fee

Read our full review here.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

Cash Back: Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Get automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Free credit monitoring with the CreditWise® app
$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app
$39 annual fee

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Learn More

Limited Time Offer: $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
Earn Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video (Does not include Prime membership).
Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
1% on all other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
Annual Fee: $95
0% APR on purchases for 12 months
Terms Apply

Read our full review here.

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Freedom Flex

Learn More

$200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout or eligible delivery services.
3% on drugstore purchases
5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories every quarter (activation required)
1% on all other purchases
5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022
Free access to your credit score
0% APR introductory rate for 15 months on purchases.
No annual fee

Read our full review here.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is my goto cash back credit card. It pays 2.5% on all purchases for the first $10,000 in purchases per month; 1% thereafter. There is a $99 annual fee (waived the first year). That means you’ll need to spend at least $20,000 a year, otherwise, a no-fee 2% cashback credit card is better.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

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2.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $10,000 in purchases each month)
1% cash back on all other purchases.
$99 annual fee (waived the first year)
No foreign transaction fees
Works with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

One card that gets an honorable mention is the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. If you buy from Amazon or Whole Foods, this card is a must. You get 5% cash back on both, with no caps and no annual fee. You also earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Finding the best 0% card for balance transfers is primarily about the numbers. You want a 0% offer that lasts as long as possible. And to the extent available, you’d prefer not to pay a transfer fee. That has become impossible today, as many balance transfer offers have left the market.

Here is the best option available today:

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Learn More

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR
No Annual Fee*
Choose your own payment due date that fits your schedule.
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

With the economic uncertainties brought about my Covid-19, many credit card issuers have removed their 0% balance transfer offers There are cards still remaining, however, that offer 0% on balance transfers and purchases for up to 20 months. You can find these and other offers here and here.

See also: A longer list of 0% credit cards

Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Travel cards represent a diverse universe of rewards. They include general travel rewards that are independent of a specific company, airline miles cards, hotel rewards cards, and even specialty cards. As such, it’s difficult to pick the “best” travel card. A lot will depend on how you use the card and how you travel.

With that said, here are our picks for 2020.

American Express Gold Card

American Express Gold Card

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 within your first 6 months.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
1X points on other purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees, making this an excellent card for international travel.
Annual Fee: $250.
Terms Apply.

Read our full review here.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Learn More

Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first months. These points are worth $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
$0 foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
$95 Annual Fee

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn ~~60,000~~ 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.
Earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Beginning 1/1/2021, the 5X rewards is capped at $500,000 on these purchases annually.
5X Membership Rewards points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com.
1X Membership Rewards points on all other purchases.
Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit
Up to $200 Uber savings every year
Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
Annual fee: $550
Terms Apply.

Read our full review here.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

One-time Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months
Earn 2X miles on every purchase
Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®
Miles aren’t specific to any airline or hotel, so they can be used anywhere
Travel when you want with no blackout dates
Miles won’t expire for the life of the account
No foreign transaction fees
$95 annual fee

Read our full review here.

Bad Credit, Fair Credit and No Credit

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

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Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases.
Bonus: Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app
$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

Cash Back: Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Get automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Free credit monitoring with the CreditWise® app
$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app
$39 annual fee

Best Prepaid Debit Cards of 2021

December 30, 2020 by Rob Berger

Prepaid reloadable debit cards, sometimes called prepaid credit cards, offer an alternative to both credit cards and bank accounts. The key is to find low fee prepaid cards that offer the features and benefits you need. We examined nearly 70 options to help you find the best prepaid debit cards.

Prepaid debit card transactions are on the rise, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Board. In the latest year examined, prepaid debit card transactions increased by over 10%.

I’ve covered the prepaid card market since 2008. Over the years there have been major changes to the features and fees offered to consumers. For the most part, these changes have been positive. Still, there are many prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, offer limited benefits, or both.

To help you sift through the options, we’ve compiled our top picks of the best reloadable prepaid debit cards.

Table of Contents

Methodology

We evaluated 70 reloadable prepaid debit cards (see list below). To determine which cards made our list, we considered each card’s fees and features. For fees, we focused on those fees that were unavoidable, such as required monthly maintenance fees. Some fees, like ATM withdrawal fees, can be avoided by getting cash back at retailers. For features, we looked at each card’s money management tools, mobile apps, and customer service.

Best Prepaid Debit Cards

Best banking alternative

Netspend Prepaid Visa Card

Netspend Prepaid Visa Card

Apply Now

With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
Use the Netspend Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text messages or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply).
Card use is subject to activation and ID verification. Terms and Costs apply.
Card issued by MetaBank® N.A., Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Visa debit card is accepted.
Get your tax refund direct deposited to your account and no more waiting in line to cash your check!
See additional Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card details by clicking Apply Now

Read our full review here.

The Netspend card offers several features that make it ideal as an alternative to a traditional bank account.

Free direct deposit of paychecks, government benefits payments or tax refunds
With direct deposit, get paid up to 2 days faster
Mobile check deposit
A mobile app to access your account
Text alerts
FDIC-insured savings account that pays up to 5% APY
Purchase Cushion: Netspend may cover you up to $10 if you fall short
Reload Locations: Load money at over 130,000 locations
Earn cashback
Refer a friend and you both can earn $20

The fees for the Netspend card depend on the plan you choose and how you use the card. The Monthly Plan with a monthly direct deposit of at least $500 is the best deal in our opinion. This keeps the monthly fee to just $5, with no fees for purchase transactions.

Netspend® Prepaid Mastercard® – Proud Partner of MLB®

Netspend® Prepaid Mastercard®, Proud Partner of MLB

Apply Now

Show support for your team with your team-branded Netspend® Prepaid Mastercard® each time you use your Card.
With Netspend Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
Use the Netspend Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text messages or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply).
Card issued by MetaBank®, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.

The features, fees, and benefits of the MLB version of the card are the same as the Netspend Prepaid Visa Card above. As a baseball fan who takes his son to spring training every year, however, I had to mention this version of the card. When you get the card, you can select your team’s logo to appear on the card.

Best for budgeting

Western Union® Netspend® Mastercard® Prepaid Card

This card could also be listed as a great bank alternative prepaid option. Why? For several reasons. The Western Union Netspend Mastercard Prepaid card offers online bill pay. It also comes with an optional savings account that currently pays interest as high as 5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000. You can create a virtual card to use online so that you don’t compromise your account. It also comes with a Purchase Cushion of up to $10. And if you refer a friend, you both can receive a $20 credit to your account.

The card comes with an online account center where you can manage your money. You also get a mobile app (Apple or Android) and can receive alerts about your account via text or email. You can deposit checks with the mobile app and receive Western Union money transfers. Finally, get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit. It’s free.

Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard®

Brink's Prepaid Mastercard® Brink

Apply Now

Brink’s gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Securing cash and valuables since 1859.
With Brink’s Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
Use the Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text message or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply.)
Subject to card activation and ID verification. Terms and Costs Apply. Issued by Axos Bank®, Member FDIC. Click for full details.
Get your tax refund direct deposited to your Card Account and no more waiting in line to cash your paper check!
See additional Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard® Details.

The Brink’s card has a long list of features. These include direct deposit, alerts, an online account center, a mobile app with photo check deposits, payback rewards, and a refer a friend program.

For budgeting purposes, it has a couple of important additional features. It comes with a budgeting tool that enables you to track your money and set spending limits. It also comes with an optional savings account and prescription discounts.

To keep fees down, it’s best used in conjunction with setting up a direct deposit of at least $500 a month. This keeps the monthly fee down to $5 with no transaction fees.

Best for teens and families

Greenlight Debit Card

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

Apply Now

First month free. Cancel anytime.
Includes debit cards for up to five kids
No minimum age. No minimum balance
No transaction, international or overdraft fees
Only $4.99 per month.
Chore management
Allowance on autopilot
Instant transfers to kids’ cards
Real-time transaction alerts
Store-specific spend controls

Greenlight was built for parents and children. For example, parents can set up weekly or one-time chores in the app and allowances once a child completes the chores. Parents can automate payment of allowance through the app. The card offers real-time notification of transactions. Parents can even implement controls over which stores a child or teen can use the card.

Parents and turn a card off or on from the app. They can pay interest to their young ones to encourage savings. Parents can also control whether their child can use the card at an ATM. It works with Apple Pay, and there are no foreign transaction fees.

You can try the card for free for the first month. After that, the fee is just $4.99 per month for a family with up to five children.

FamZoo Prepaid Card

FamZoo Prepaid Card

Apply Now

Perfect for preschool through college
No risk of debt, overdrafts or hidden fees
Retain parental visibility and control
Move money instantly between family members
Try FamZoo for 1 month FREE
As low as 63 cents per month per card

Read our full review here.

I’ve met the founder of FamZoo, Bill Dwight, at conferences over the years. He has a heart for teaching children about managing their money. His team has created an excellent tool to help any family better manage their money. And FamZoo is much more than a prepaid debit card for teens.

Parents have total control over the child’s account if they want it. Children see just their accounts while parents see all transactions from all family members. Parents can transfer funds instantly to a child’s account, ideal when paying for chores or allowance. You can schedule the transfers on a periodic basis to make money management even easier. And parents and teens can receive text alerts when certain transactions occur.

Parents can lock and unlock accounts. You can set and track savings goals. Parents can pay interest to their child’s account as a way to incentivize savings. Payments can be split across multiple accounts.

There is a monthly fee, but it’s as low as $2.50 a month, and it’s for the entire family. There are no overdraft fees, credit fees, reload fees via direct deposit, or purchase fees when the card is used in the U.S. FamZoo also doesn’t charge for in-network ATM withdrawals.

Our pick for Paypal transfers

PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®

PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®

Apply Now

Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
Get your tax refund direct deposited to your Card Account and stop waiting in line to cash your refund check!

For those who use PayPal frequently and want an easy way to transfer money out, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard is the answer. You can link your PayPal account to the prepaid card and then transfer money from your PayPal account for free.

Everything else about the prepaid card is fairly standard. It offers free direct deposit, cash loads at more than 130,000 locations, and a relatively low monthly fee.

Our pick for the best Amex prepaid cards

Bluebird by American Express

When I choose any financial product as the “best overall pick” in any category, I ask two questions:

Which product would I select for myself?
Which product would I recommend to my mom or daughter?

In both cases, the answer is clear–Bluebird by American Express. That’s not to say the card is perfect. We all know that Amex isn’t accepted as widely as Visa/MasterCard (see below for those options). Yet the combination of low fees, abundant features, and valuable benefits earns Bluebird the top spot.

Simply put, the card comes with virtually no fees. There is no monthly maintenance fee. No transaction fees. You can withdraw money from MoneyPass ATMs for free. You can even add cash for free at most Walmart stores.

The features and benefits are also excellent. The card offers online bill pay, mobile check deposit, free direct deposit, and a mobile app. You can create a family account with up to 4 additional cards, and setting spending limits on each card. The account also enables you to track your spending by category for better money management.

American Express Serve

We’ve already mentioned Bluebird, which is as low fee as you’ll find. Another Amex option is Serve. Serve comes with a long list of features:

Subaccounts: You can create subaccounts for your children, for example, and each will receive their own card.
Free ATM Withdrawals: At over 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs
Bill Pay: Free online bill pay. You can also write a check online and Amex will mail it for you.
Free Transfers: You can send and receive money with other Serve account holders.
Cash Reloads: Reload cash onto the card at over 45,000 retail locations, including CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Walmart, and participating 7-ELEVEN locations.
Mobile App: iOS and Android app available. Text alerts and mobile check deposit.
Amex Benefits: Serve comes with Amex perks including purchase protection, FDIC insurance, fraud protection, 24/7 customer service, and travel protection.

It comes in three flavors:

American Express Serve: The basic card charges a monthly fee of $6.95. However, each month you have direct deposit of at least $500 drops the fee to $0.

American Express Serve FREE Reloads: Reload cash to the card for free at over 45,000 retail locations. The downside is that the $6.95 monthly fee can’t be waived, even with direct deposit.

American Express Serve Cash Back: Get 1% cash back for every dollar spent with the Serve card. The monthly fee is $7.95, which can’t be waived. Therefore, you’ll need to spend $795 on the card per month just to break even. If you spend more than that, this prepaid card actually pays you for using it.

Our picks for Walmart shoppers

Walmart MoneyCard Visa or MasterCard

This low-fee prepaid card is ideal for those who frequent Walmart for two reasons. First, you can load cash onto the Walmart MoneyCard for free at Walmart. Second, it pays 3% cash back on purchases from walmart.com, 2% cash back Walmart/Murphy USA gas stations, and 1% cash back at Walmart stores, up to $75 a year in rewards.

There is a $5 monthly fee. It can be waived, however, each month you have direct deposit of at least $1,000. The one drawback to this card is that there are no free ATM withdrawals–they cost $2.50 each.

Our pick for Target shoppers

RedCard Debit Card

Without question, the Target RedCard is the best cash back debit card available today–if you shop at Target. The RedCard pays 5% cash back on all purchases at Target. The 5% cash back applies to in-store Starbucks purchases and speciality gift cards.

You get free 2-day shipping on thousands of items from Target. And you get an additional 30 days for returns and exchanges. Keep in mind, however, that the Target RedCard can only be used at Target stores and Target online.

Our pick for digital prepaid debit card

MOVO® Digital Prepaid Visa® Card

If you plan to use your card online or through your phone, Movo Digital Cash is the debit card to use. Once you open and fund your account, you can then create virtual debit cards in an amount that you choose. Each debit card you create has its own unique account number. You can use it once online, for example, and then dispose of it. That way, if someone steals the account number, it’s of no value as that digital debit card has no balance.

The card can also be used with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. You can also easily transfer funds to friends and family members who have a Movo account.

The card is free to get, has no monthly fees, is FDIC insured, and offers free direct deposit. On the downside, there is a fee to use the card to pay bills.

Our pick for prepaid card alternatives

Chime

Chime

Open an Account

Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
Track your account balances and daily transactions with the Chime mobile app
Get daily balance notifications and instant transaction alerts
Send money instantly to friends
Chime Visa® Debit Card
0.50% APY
No monthly fees.
No minimum balance requirements.
38,000+ fee-free MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs.

Chime is not a prepaid card. It’s also not a bank. Not exactly.

Chime is an app with a Visa debit card. But if it’s not a bank, where does your money go with you deposit it into a Chime account? It does to an FDIC-insured bank account connect to the Chime app. Money is deposited into one of two banks–The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A. Both are members of the FDIC.

What Chime adds is an excellent app to help you manage your money. You can set up direct deposit of your paycheck. You can automate savings with Chime’s round-up feature. You can also automatically transfer a percentage of every paycheck into a linked savings account.

Chime comes with no monthly fees, no deposit required, no minimum balance, no foreign transaction fees and 38,000+ fee-free MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs. Finally, like prepaid cards, there is no credit check required to open an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to pick the best prepaid debit card for you?

Determine what features you need and how you’ll use the card. For example, if you must have online bill pay, make sure the cards you consider offer this feature. Likewise, if you plan to make numerous ATM withdrawals each month, find a prepaid card that offers free withdrawals. Once you have your list of required features and know how you’ll use the card, find the lowest cost option that meets these requirements.

Do prepaid debit cards build credit?

No. You can only spend the money you add to the card. As a result, there is credit or borrowing involved with prepaid cards. As such, they do not help you improve your credit score.

What is the best prepaid card?

The best will depend on the features you need and how you’ll use the card. Our list of the best prepaid debit cards should satisfy just about any financial situation.

What prepaid credit cards have no fees?

All prepaid debit cards have some type of fees. In some cases most fees can be avoided based on how you use the card. In addition, some prepaid cards will waive some or all of the monthly fee if you load a certain amount of money on the card via direct deposit.

Are prepaid cards safe?

Generally, yes. Based on recent rules enacted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prepaid debit cards offer protection if they are lost or stolen that is similar to credit cards. Your potential liability is capped at $50 if you give timely notice that your card has been lost or stolen. You can find more details of this new rule here.

What is a reloadable prepaid debit card?

Reloadable cards can be used over and over again. Load money on the card that you can then spend. As you run low, you can add more money onto the card. In contrast, prepaid gift cards cannot be reloaded.

What fees do prepaid debit cards charge?

Some prepaid debit cards charge a host of fees. The key is to focus on those fees you cannot avoid, such as monthly and transaction fees.

Can you get money from an ATM with a prepaid card?

Generally, yes. In some cases there may be a fee, although money of the cards listed above offer free ATM withdrawals from in-network ATMs

Prepaid Debit Cards Evaluated

NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card
Brinks Prepaid Mastercard
Bluebird® by American Express
Chase Liquid® Prepaid Card
PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®
American Express Serve®
American Express Serve® FREE ?Reloads
American Express Serve Cash Back®
WeSwap Mastercard®
Control™ Prepaid Mastercard®
FamZoo
Walmart MoneyCard® Visa® with Cash-Back Rewards
Walmart MoneyCard® MasterCard® with Cash-Back Rewards
Western Union® Netspend® Mastercard® Prepaid Card
Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard®
Netspend® Prepaid Mastercard® – Proud Partner of MLB®
Pink Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card
Univision MasterCard® Prepaid Card
Kroger Rewards Prepaid Visa® Card
Green Dot® 5% Cash Back Visa® Debit Card
Movo Virtual Prepaid Visa Card
MOVO® Digital Prepaid Visa® Card
Fifth Third Access 360° Reloadable Prepaid Card
Wells Fargo EasyPay Prepaid Card
Akimbo
Greenlight
ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card
ACE Flare™ Account by MetaBank®
AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card
BBVA ClearSpend Card
Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card
Mango Visa Prepaid Card
RushCardPrepaid Visa Card
Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card
Card.com Prepaid Mastercard®
Cascade Prepaid Mastercard
Fancard® Prepaid Mastercard®
H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard®
AAA MemberPay Visa® Prepaid Card
AchieveCard
CUMONEY® Visa® Everyday Spend Prepaid Card
CashZone
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Commerce Bank mySpending Card
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Midnight Prepaid Visa® RushCard
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Regions Now Card?
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
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Vision Premier
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excella® Visa® Prepaid Debit Card
smiONE™ Visa® Prepaid Card
Unlimited Cash Back Bank Account by Green Dot
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Bank of American CashPay Card

Best Credit Cards for Military Members (2021)

December 19, 2020 by Rob Berger

There are lots of ways to support the men and women that work tirelessly to protect our freedom. One easy way can be found in credit card offers that support the military. Whether you are in the service, a veteran, or a family member, here are the best credit cards for military members.

I’ve never had the honor of serving our country in the military. My son has. He’s a marine. From his first day at Parris Island and that 3 am call every Marine parent remembers, I can no longer watch a war movie with the same sense of detachment or entertainment. It’s just too real. I know, perhaps second hand, the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make every single day. Their families make sacrifices, too.

So it seems strange to me to bring up military service in the context of credit cards. Yet finances for those in the armed services is critical. And some credit cards are better for military members than others. What follows are some of the best credit cards for military members.

Table of Contents

Best Credit Card Offers for Service Members

Two federal laws provide financial protections and perks for members of the military:

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Military Lending Act (MLA)

Enacted in 2003 the SCRA is particularly important in the world of credit cards. It caps the interest rate a lender can charge military members in active duty. This cap includes fees charged by credit card issuers. To comply with this requirement, some credit card issuers eliminate the annual fee. This in turn gives active duty service members the chance to carry premium credit cards without paying annual fees that can top $500.

It’s important to understand that the SCRA applies to credit cards obtained before active duty. Many credit card issuers, however, extend SCRA benefits even if military members apply for the card during active duty.

American Express Cards

American Express waves the annual fee on many of its cards for those that qualify under the SCRA. You can enroll for the SCRA benefits at American Express (see details below). For this reason, it often makes sense to apply for those Amex cards with the best rewards regardless of the annual fee.

SCRA Benefits

Interest rate capped at 6%
Waive fees, such as annual membership fees, late fees, and returned payment fees.

How to Apply

Online: Submitting your request online is the fastest way to request SCRA relief. You may also submit any relevant documents through the Document Center: this includes paperwork establishing active duty, such as documentation prepared exclusively by a branch of the military, the Department of Defense or your commanding officer which indicates that you are on active duty (e.g., active duty orders, change of station orders, DD-214 forms, letters from commanding officers, etc.).
Phone: Call the number on the back of your Card or 1-800-253-1720 to submit a request. If you are outside the United States, you can call Amex collect at 1-336-393-1111.
FAX: Fax documents establishing your active duty status to 623-444-3000. Please make sure to include the applicable American Express account number(s).
Mail: Send a copy of documents establishing your active duty status to: American Express, Attn: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, PO Box 981535, El Paso, TX 79998-1535. Please make sure to include the applicable American Express account number(s).

Eligibility

Individuals eligible for SCRA relief are servicemembers who have been on or are currently on active duty in one of the below services:

Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) or a reserve component called to active duty (Reserve, National Guard, and Air National Guard).
National Guard personnel under a call or order to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days (for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by federal funds).
Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officers.
U.S. citizens serving with the forces of a nation with which U.S. is allied in the prosecution of a war or military action.

With that in mind, here are our favorite military member Amex cards:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn ~~60,000~~ 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.
Earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Beginning 1/1/2021, the 5X rewards is capped at $500,000 on these purchases annually.
5X Membership Rewards points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com.
1X Membership Rewards points on all other purchases.
Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit
Up to $200 Uber savings every year
Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
Annual fee: $550
Terms Apply.

Read our full review here.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for cash back

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Learn More

Limited Time Offer: $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
Earn Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video (Does not include Prime membership).
Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
1% on all other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
Annual Fee: $95
0% APR on purchases for 12 months
Terms Apply

Read our full review here.

American Express Gold Card

Best for groceries and restaurants

American Express Gold Card

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 within your first 6 months.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
1X points on other purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees, making this an excellent card for international travel.
Annual Fee: $250.
Terms Apply.

Read our full review here.

Chase has also waived annual fees on its credit cards for those military members who qualify. You can get details here. Given the fee waiver, there are some excellent Chase credit cards to consider:

Chase Credit Cards

Chase offers some of the best travel and cash back cards available today. The SCRA benefits make these cards ideal for service members.

SCRA Benefits

According to the Chase website, the SCRA offers its customers the following four benefits, among others:

Reduction of Interest Rate
Protection from Foreclosure
Protection from Repossession
Early termination of Auto Lease

Of course, only the reduction in interest rates applies to credit cards. Its been wisely reported that in 2017, in order to comply with federal law, Chase eliminated the annual fee on its credit cards, along with most other fees.

How to Apply

You can submit supporting documents online at the Chase secure message center ( www.chase.com/securemessages). You’ll choose “New Message” and then “Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)” from the dropdown menu.

You can also mail your supporting documentation to Chase at the following address:

Chase
Attn: SCRA Request
PO Box 183240
Columbus, OH 43218-3240

Eligibility

According to Chase, you may be eligible of you are “an active-duty servicemember, or a member of the National Guard or reserve and called to active duty.”

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Best for travel

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within your first 3 months.That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit
3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit.
3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
$0 foreign transaction fees.
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™
Select Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®

Read our full review here.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Best for travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Learn More

Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first months. These points are worth $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
$0 foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
$95 Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Best for cash back

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Learn More

Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months.
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
Earn 3% cash back at drugstores
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases
Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey
No annual fee

Read our full review here.

Capital One

SCRA Benefits

Cap of 4% on interest rates (SCRA requires a 6% cap)
No fees except for “bona-fide insurance”

How to Apply

The quickest way to request benefits is by completing the Online Benefits Request Form. However, you can also request benefits in person at any Capital One bank branch, or send a written request by faxing:
1-866-516-4023 or mailing:

Capital One
Attn: SCRA Request
P.O. Box 30285
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0285

Written requests should include:

The Servicemember’s name and Social Security Number (SSN)
Copy of active duty orders or a letter from your executive or commanding officer on official letterhead that includes:
- Servicemember’s name and SSN
- Active duty start date
- Branch of service

Eligibility

Servicemembers serving on active duty with one of the following branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard reserves
Army or Air National Guard
Commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service
U.S. citizens who are members of an allied nation’s military service
Spouses and dependents of active duty Servicemembers listed above

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for Travel

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

One-time Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months
Earn 2X miles on every purchase
Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®
Miles aren’t specific to any airline or hotel, so they can be used anywhere
Travel when you want with no blackout dates
Miles won’t expire for the life of the account
No foreign transaction fees
$95 annual fee

Read our full review here.

Final Thoughts

The best credit cards for those on active duty are premium rewards cards. While these cards normally charge an annual fee, in some cases more than $500, many credit card issuers waive these fees. It’s a great deal.

A 100 Word Consumer Statement May Do More Harm Than Good

December 17, 2020 by Rob Berger

Since 2011, consumers have the right to add a 100-word consumer statement to their credit report. These statements can explain derogatory marks on a credit report left by a creditor. While this may sound like a good idea, consumer statements may do more harm than good.

In this article:

It sounds like a good idea. You’ve disputed a negative mark like a missed payment on your credit report, but the dispute was resolved in favor of the creditor. You want to get the last word. A consumer statement allows you to do just that. It may, however, do more harm than good. It’s also likely to be completely ignored.

What is a Consumer Statement

A consumer statement is a 100-word (200 words in Maine) explanation you can add to your credit report. It originates from the Fair Credit Report Act, which requires credit bureaus to give some recourse to consumers following an unsuccessful dispute.

The statute reads in part:

If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a brief statement setting forth the nature of the dispute. The consumer reporting agency may limit such statements to not more than one hundred words if it provides the consumer with assistance in writing a clear summary of the dispute.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i

Types

There are two types of consumer statements that you can add to your report. One is specific to a particular account. The other is a general statement not tied to a particular creditor.

Account-Specific

Consumers can add a 100-word statement to a specific account on their credit report. These statements can explain, for example, a charge-off or late payment.

General

Consumers can also add a 100-word statement to their credit report in general. These are not connected to a specific creditor. For example, a consumer might explain how a job loss affected multiple accounts.

How They Affect Credit

Consumer statements have no affect on credit scores. A credit score uses an algorithm to calculated a 3-digit score based on data in a credit report. Credit scoring formulas do not consider statements added by consumers.

In contrast, statements do appear on a person’s credit report. In fact, they can remain on a report for up to ten years. A consumer can ask a credit reporting agency to remove a statement at any time.

Do Statements Help?

The short answer is no, and they may even cause problems. I’ve researched and written about credit for nearly 15 years. During that time I’ve yet to uncover an example of an individual obtaining credit thanks to a consumer statement. Many say that lenders largely ignore the statements.

Further, 100-word statements can remain on a credit report longer than negative items. For example, a late payment can remain on a credit report for up to seven years. Adding a statement to the late payment won’t change this. Moreover, unless you remove the statement, it will remain on the report even after the late payment is removed. The consumer statement has the affect of keeping a reference to the late payment on the report longer than if no statement were added in the first place.

How to Add a Consumer Statement to a Credit Report

Each of the three major credit bureaus permit you to add a consumer statement to your report. There are several steps to the process. Here are the steps to add an account-specific statement:

Step 1: File a dispute: An account-specific consumer statement is permitted if a dispute you’ve filed is denied. As a result, step one is to a file a dispute.

Step 2: Sign-in to your account: Many disputes today can be initiated online. As part of that process, you probably already created an account with each of the credit bureaus. If not, create an account and then log into it. A consumer can add a statement online.

Step 3: Select the account and add the statement: Once signed into your account, you’ll be able to select the creditor on your report and add the statement.

You can also add a general consumer statement to your report to explain accurate negative references.

Here are links to the three major credit bureaus with additional information:

Next step: Get access to your credit score for free.

Capital One SavorOne Credit Card Review: $200 Bonus + Up To 3% Cash Back

December 16, 2020 by Rob Berger

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card appeals to those who frequently dine out or go to the movies. This card offers card holders a cash back value of 3% on dining and entertainment purchases. This card also offers a no annual fee perk making it slightly different from its sibling card (Capital One Savor Card). It also offers a $150 cash bonus upon meeting the new member requirements. We’ll cover all of the details throughout this detailed review of the Capital One SavorOne Credit Card. Let’s dive in.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

Earn $200 cash bonus after you spend $500on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3% cash back on dining and entertainment
Earn 2% at grocery stores
Earn 1% on all other purchases
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
No foreign transaction fee
No annual fee

In this review

Rating

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Rating

Rob Berger

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a cash back credit card offering a signup bonus and cash back on everyday purchases. It does not charge an annual fee.

Signup Bonus

Rewards

Fees

Card Benefits

Summary

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earns high marks for its excellent signup bonus, up to 3% cash back, and low fees.

4.8

Pros & Cons

What we like

Earn 3% on dining and entertainment purchases
Earn $200 cash back Welcome Bonus
No annual fee
0% APR for the first 15 months
No foreign transaction fees

What could be better

High APR after the first 15 months passes
3% on balance transfers during the intro APR
Requires excellent credit

Welcome Bonus

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card currently offers new card holders $200 in cash back. All you have to do to receive this bonus offer is spend a minimum of $500 within your first $3 months of having your account activated.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Rewards

Earning Rewards

Earning rewards with the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is very easy and simple. Card holders will earn

3% cash back on their dining and entertainment purchases
2% at grocery stores, and
1% on all other purchases.

A couple things to keep in mind when using this card for purchases is that for the 3% reward, you can only use the card at locations such as:

Restaurants
Bars
Cafes

For the 2% reward rate, you would need to use the card at locations such as:

Supermarkets
Specialty markets

Stores like Walmart or Target are excluded from this category.

You can also earn up to $500 when you refer a friend to Capital One for this card. If they are approved, then you will earn $100 in statement credits for each person. This program allows you to earn up to $500 each year.

Redeeming Rewards

Rewards can be set up to be redeemed automatically at a set time each year or when rewards reach a specific threshold (e.g., $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,500). Card holders can redeem rewards via cash back in the form of a check, statement credits or gift cards.

With gift cards, the standard rate is that each point is worth $0.01:

2,500 points = $25
5,000 points = $50
7,500 points = $75
10,000 points = $100
15,000 points = $150
20,000 points = $200
25,000 points = $250

With store branded gift cards, the value of rewards can vary.

0% Introductory Rates

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a 0% introductory APY for the first 15 months from account activation. This rate applies to purchases only, not to balance transfers. Once the introductory rate expires, the regular APR will apply to any remaining balance.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Benefits

Account Alerts: You will be sent an alert if Capital One finds a mistake or unexpected charge.
Personalized Payment: This allows you to pick your own monthly due date, and even your payment method for no cost.
Autopay: Choose to have your payment automatically withdrawn from your account monthly.
0% Fraud Liability: You will not be held responsible if your card becomes lost or stolen.
Card Lock: This feature allows you to lock your card if you lose it, or if it gets stolen. This will prevent the card from being used.
Security Alerts: If any suspicious activity is seen on your account, Capital One will notify via email, text, etc.
24 Hour Travel Assistance: This service helps you by getting you an emergency replacement card, or even a cash advance if your card becomes lost or stolen.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: No transaction fees when traveling outside of the United States.
Roadside Assistance: Find assistance with this benefit when you’re needing a tire change, need a jump, or even a tow.
Extended Warranty: Items you purchase with your credit card will get additional warranty coverage at no cost.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Rent a vehicle with your credit card, and you will be covered for damage due to collision or theft.
Eno Your Capital One Assistant: With this feature, Capital One will send you an alert if they find a mistake, or unexpected charge like a duplicate purchase or a sudden bill increase. Eno is active 24/7 and can always answer questions wherever you are.

FAQs

How do I know if my purchase is acceptable in a cash back category?

Capital One uses a merchant category code that determines if a purchase is accepted in one of their cash back categories. At times, a purchase may not earn the cash back reward, if some merchants categorize their business under a different category. For example, a food truck may categorize itself under a merchandise code instead of a dining code.

Will my rewards expire?

Nope. As long as your account remains open your rewards will remain intact.

Should I choose the Savor Card or the SavorOne Card?

It all depends on how much spending you plan on doing with either card. If you are spending thousands of dollars each month on dining and entertainment and don’t mind an annual fee, then the Savor Card is ideal. The SavorOne card may not have an annual fee or earn as high of rewards, but if you aren’t going to be spending in the area of more than $5,000 each month, then using the SavorOne Card may be better for you.

How Does the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Stack Up

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Signup Bonus
200 cash

Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Chase Freedom Flex

Signup Bonus
200 cash

Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Signup Bonus
250 cash

Annual Fee: $95

Learn More

The Best No Interest Credit Cards of January 2021

December 9, 2020 by Rob Berger

Credit cards offering low interest can help reduce the amount you pay in interest. Many cards today even offer a 0% APR (no interest credit card) for a year or more. Here we list 0% APR credit cards and low-interest credit cards, which we update monthly.

One of the best deals available is interest-free credit cards. No interest cards offer a 0% APR on balance transfers, purchases, or both. With balance transfers, you can transfer one or more high-interest credit card balances onto the interest-free credit card and pay no interest during the introductory period. This helps you pay down your debt faster.

With zero interest on purchases, you can use the card for big purchases or everyday expenses and pay no interest until the intro period expires. Until recently, there were several cards that offered no interest for up to 12 months. Now, some credit cards offer 0% for up to 15 months, and there are a few cards that extend the 0% offer for 18 months or even 21 months on balance transfers and purchases.

In this article, we list some of the best no interest credit cards available today.

List of Low-Interest and 0% APR Credit Cards

No Interest Credit Cards

The following 0% APR credit cards offer no interest on balance transfers, purchases or both.

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card

The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card makes the top of our list due to a combination of 0% APR, great cash back rewards, and its signup bonus. It’s a combo that’s hard to beat, particularly when you add the fact that there is no annual fee.

Learn More

Welcome Offer: Earn $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Cash Back: Earn 1.5% cash rewards on every purchase
Cash Back Bonus: Earn 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases during the first 12 months from account opening
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 on purchases and balance transfers
$0 Annual Fee

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card leads the pack among 0% balance transfer cards. It currently offers 0% interest on both purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, but no annual fee

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Learn More

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR
No Annual Fee*
Choose your own payment due date that fits your schedule.
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

Wells Fargo Platinum Visa

The is one of few cards that comes with a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18. It comes with few other rewards, but is ideal for those looking to transfer a high-interest credit card balance.

Learn More

0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply) on transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rates and fees
Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your card
Easy access to your FICO® Credit Score
Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions
$0 Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is designed for those looking for a long 0% APR offer on purchases and excellent cash back rewards. There’s no annual fee, free access to your FICO score, and a signup bonus.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Learn More

Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months.
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
Earn 3% cash back at drugstores
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases
Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey
No annual fee

Read our full review here.

Bonus: There are cards that offer 0% on balance transfers and purchases for up to 20 months.

Learn More

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express doesn’t have the longest 0% APR on our list. In addition, it charges an annual fee. In return, however, you get excellent cashback rewards. These include a welcome bonus and up to 6% cashback (subject to spending caps as noted below).

Learn More

Limited Time Offer: $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
Earn Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video (Does not include Prime membership).
Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
1% on all other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
Annual Fee: $95
0% APR on purchases for 12 months
Terms Apply

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express comes with a 15 month 0% offer. In addition to the cash back and bonus cash rewards, you’ll get a 0% introductory rate for 15 months on purchases. There is no annual fee. Here are the details:

Learn More

Welcome Offer:$100 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
Earn 20% cash back at Amazon in the first 6 months, up to $200.
Cash Back Rewards–
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%);
- 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores; and
- 1% back on other purchases.
Note: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases.
No annual fee.
Terms Apply

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has one of the shortest 0% APRs on our list. We include it, however, because of its excellent cashback rewards, including signup bonus. And although it charges an annual fee, it’s waived the first year.

Learn More

Early Spend Bonus: Earn $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
4% Cash Back: Earn 4% cash back on dining and entertainment
2% Cash Back: Earn 2% on groceries
1% Cash Back: Earn 1% on all other purchases
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 9 months
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
No foreign transaction fees

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers a decent no interest offer along with competitive rewards.

Learn More

New Cardmember Bonus: Earn $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.
2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations or grocery stores.
1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
0% Intro APR* on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR based on your creditworthiness.
No annual fee*

Summary of Low Interest Credit Cards

0% APR Credit Cards FAQs

What is an interest free credit card?

An interest free credit card, also known as a 0% APR card, doesn’t charge interest for a period of time. The no-interest offer can apply to purchases, balance transfers, or both. The 0% APR typically lasts for at least 9 months, and many offers last for 12, 15 or 18 months.

What does 0% APR mean?

A 0% APR means that the credit card doesn’t charge interest on any balance you may owe. Keep in mind, however, that no credit card offers a 0% APR indefinitely. A 0% APR is always part of an introductory period, usually lasting for 12 months or more. Once the 0% APR period expires, any outstanding balances on the credit card will start to incur interest charges.

What’s the longest 0% APR offer available today?

The longest no interest offer currently available lasts for 21 months. You can find these offers here.

What credit score do you need to get a 0% APR credit card?

The credit score you need to get an interest-free credit card varies from card to card. Generally speaking, however, you should aim for a score of at least 700.

Not sure if you qualify for a credit card? With just your name, address, email, and last 4 digits of your social security number, you can see if you qualify for some of the top credit cards available today. And best of all, it won’t affect your credit score.

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Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? You can check out more 0% APR credit cards here.

Credit Card	0% APR	Annual Fee	More Details
Wells Fargo Platinum Visa	0% APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers	$0	Get Details
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card	0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers	$0	Get Details
Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card	0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers	$0	Get Details
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	0% APR for 15 months on purchases	$0	Get Details
Chase Freedom Unlimited	0% APR for 15 months on purchases	$0	Get Details
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	0% APR for 12 months on purchases	$95	Get Details