15 Best Credit Cards of January 2025

ByRob Berger Last Updated:

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Allcards. Commissions do not affect our authors’ or editors’ opinions or evaluations. From our partners: See our advertiser disclosure here.

Picking the best credit card is no easy task. It depends largely on your financial goals (e.g., travel, cash back, 0% intro APR, build credit), how many cards you want to carry, and your credit score.

For me, the best credit cards are those that allow me to maximize cash back. I use many cards listed here and save and invest ALL the rewards. For more on my approach to credit card rewards, check out the video below.

Of course, you may have different goals. For that reason, we’ve selected 15 of the best credit cards ideal for any financial goal.

Best Daily Driver Credit Cards

We organized this list into three categories: daily driver, triple play, and category king credit cards. We’ll start with daily drivers, which earn 1.5% to 2% cash back (or 2x points or miles) on all purchases. A daily driver should be the first credit card you carry. If you want to maximize your rewards, you can consider adding a triple play credit card (earns 3% cash back or 3x points or miles on at least three categories). Category king cards earn 5% cash back on at least one category.

We’ll begin the list with some standout daily driver credit cards. You can see our full list of daily driver credit cards here.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24%, 24.24% or 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a great combination of benefits that make it one of the top cards for everyday spending. You get 2% cash back on every purchase, which admittedly, a lot of cards offer. But you also get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months from account opening, then 19.24%, 24.24% or 29.24% variable APR. Plus, you get a small welcome offer. This is also one of the few 2% cash back cards to offer cell phone protection (up to $600 when you pay your monthly bill with the card).

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • 2% cash back

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved09/18/2024
758
Equifax
$10,000
Approved09/18/2024
772
TransUnion
$10,000
Approved09/18/2024
780
Experian
$10,000
Approved09/21/2024
796
Experian
$30,000
Approved02/09/2024
723
Not Provided
$8,000

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer

75,000 Miles

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 2x miles on other purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great travel rewards card. You get a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection. And you can transfer your points to Capital One travel partners. Points can be worth more if you transfer them because the partners place more (or less) value on them than Capital One.

You get two complimentary visits to Capital One airport lounges a year and up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Currently, there are only three Capital One lounges in the U.S., so it might not be as useful as you might think. However, Capital One is planning more lounges.

Frequent travelers will want to consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, but for the occasional traveler, this card is a good bet.

2x miles
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day
5x miles
Select Categories
Earn 5x miles on vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
5x miles
Hotels
Earn 5x miles on hotels booked through Capital One Travel
5x miles
Rental Cars
Earn 5x miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 5x miles

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved07/11/2023
686
TransUnion
$5,000
Approved07/11/2023
688
Equifax
$5,000
Approved07/11/2023
691
Experian
$5,000
Approved04/19/2024
783
Experian
$3,000
Approved04/19/2024
803
Equifax
$3,000

See also: Our complete list of travel rewards credit cards

Citi® Double Cash Card

Citi Double Cash
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Citi® Double Cash Card

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.24% – 28.24%, Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

The Citi® Double Cash Card is the card for you if you want a simple cash back structure you don’t have to think about. You get unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, 1% cash back when you make the purchase and 1% cash back when you pay off the purchase. There’s also a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% - 28.24%, variable APR, so any debt you have from higher-interest cards is that much easier to pay off. For a limited time (until 12/31/25) you can earn 5% cash back on hotel and rentals booked through the Citi Travel portal.

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • Up to 2% cash back

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved04/21/2024
635
TransUnion
$3,500
Approved04/21/2024
670
Equifax
$3,500
Approved03/12/2024
726
Equifax
$3,800
Approved03/12/2024
731
Equifax
$3,800
Approved03/12/2024
745
Equifax
$3,800
Approved03/12/2024
765
Equifax
$3,800
Approved03/12/2024
800
Experian
$3,800
Approved03/12/2024
806
TransUnion
$3,800
Approved02/03/2024
780
Experian
$6,900
Approved02/03/2024
794
TransUnion
$6,900
Approved02/03/2024
813
Equifax
$6,900
Approved01/19/2024
840
Not Provided
$11,500
Approved01/11/2024
730
Not Provided
---
Approved05/22/2024
805
Experian
$6,800
Denied01/03/2024
800
Not Provided
---
Denied05/10/2024
793
Not Provided
---

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★★☆

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Welcome Offer

None

Est. Value

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

16.99% to 26.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle. Earn 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases.

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card offers up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of eligible purchases per billing cycle, then 1.5% cash back. However to earn rewards up to 2.5% cash back, you’ll need to have an Alliant High-Rate checking account, sign up for direct deposit, and maintain an average daily balance of $1,000. Otherwise, you’ll earn just 1.5% cash back. For those who don’t spend more than $10,000 on a card in a month, this card is a good choice. If you go over $10,000, the rate is only 1.5% and many credit cards can top that. There is no welcome offer, but there’s also no annual fee.

1.5% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases.
2.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 2.5% cash back

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved04/10/2023
686
TransUnion
$5,000

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.4

★★★★★☆

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back

Est. Value

None

Annual Fee

$39

APR

29.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Average, Fair, Limited

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Earn 1.5% cash back on other purchases.

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers simple 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The card also offers up to 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). There is a $39 annual fee but no foreign transaction fees.

For those with less than perfect credit, this is a good daily driver credit card. You can automatically get considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months, free credit monitoring with the CreditWise® app, and $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen. You can also get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app.

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
5% cash back
Hotels
Earn 5% cash back on hotels booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
5% cash back
Rental Cars
Earn 5% cash back on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)

Pros

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • helps build credit

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • No welcome bonus
  • High APR
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved08/06/2024
664
TransUnion
$500
Approved08/06/2024
666
Equifax
$500

U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.8

★★★★★☆

U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card

Welcome Offer

None

Est. Value

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.49% to 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, plus earn up to an additional 2% cash back when paired with a U.S. Bank Savings account.

The U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card qualifies as a daily driver because it offers a solid 2% cash back on every purchase. However, depending on your relationship with U.S. Bank, you could earn as much as 4% cash back on every purchase, which is a sky-high rate. To qualify for the top tier, you’ll need at least $100,000 in a U.S. Bank savings account (or a combination of other accounts), but even if you just have an extra $5,000 you qualify for an unlimited 2.5% cash back, which is still a great rate.

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
2.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn a 25% Smartly Earning Bonus: Earn 2.5% cash back on all purchases when you have a U.S. Smartly Savings Account with a qualifying balance between $5,000 - $49,999 in U.S. Bank deposit, trust or investment accounts. To get this rate, rewards must be redeemed into an eligible U.S. Bank deposit account.
3% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn a 50% Smartly Earning Bonus: Earn 3% cash back on all purchases when you have a U.S. Smartly Savings Account with a qualifying balance between $50,000 - $99,999 in U.S. Bank deposit, trust or investment accounts. To get this rate, rewards must be redeemed into an eligible U.S. Bank deposit account.
4% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn a 100% Smartly Earning Bonus: Earn 4% cash back on all purchases when you have a U.S. Smartly Savings Account with a qualifying balance of $100,000 or more in U.S. Bank deposit, trust or investment accounts. To get this rate, rewards must be redeemed into an eligible U.S. Bank deposit account.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Up to 4% cash back

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved11/14/2024
813
TransUnion
$25,000
Approved11/14/2024
823
Experian
$25,000
Approved11/14/2024
841
Equifax
$25,000
Approved11/11/2024
800
Equifax
$15,000
Approved11/11/2024
756
Experian
$2,000
Approved11/11/2024
757
Equifax
$2,000
Approved11/11/2024
761
TransUnion
$2,000
Approved11/13/2024
771
TransUnion
$2,000
Approved11/11/2024
770
Experian
$15,000
Approved11/11/2024
789
TransUnion
$15,000
Approved11/11/2024
800
Equifax
$15,000
Approved11/14/2024
817
TransUnion
$15,000
Approved11/12/2024
800
Not Provided
$17,000
Approved11/14/2024
800
Not Provided
$15,000

See also: Our complete list of the best credit cards for credit scores of 650-700, 600-649, and under 600.

Best Triple Play Credit Cards

Triple Play credit cards earn 3% cash back or 3x points or miles on at least three categories. If you already have a daily driver credit card, adding a triple play card to your wallet can help you squeeze out more rewards. Here are some of our favorite triple play cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% – 27.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM. Earn 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel purchases. Earn 1x points on other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be the best bang for your buck among travel credit cards. It has an excellent welcome offer, great rewards and perks on travel and no foreign transaction fees.

This card does come with an annual fee. The benefits, however, make the card well worth the cost. You also get a $50 hotel credit for stays purchased through Chase TravelSM.

Perks include Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Baggage Delay Insurance, and more.

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on all other purchases
2x points
Travel
2x points on all other travel purchases
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3x points on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
3x points
Streaming services
Earn 3x points on select streaming services
3x points
Dining
3x points on dining
5x points
Travel
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points
  • Up to 5x points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved05/20/2024
750
Not Provided
$7,500
Approved05/02/2024
797
Experian
$22,500
Approved05/02/2024
848
TransUnion
$22,500
Approved06/03/2024
716
Not Provided
$5,000
Approved03/04/2024
590
Not Provided
$5,000
Approved01/30/2024
645
Equifax
$9,000
Approved01/30/2024
645
TransUnion
$9,000
Approved01/30/2024
666
Experian
$9,000
Approved05/06/2024
832
Not Provided
---
Approved05/06/2024
833
Not Provided
---
Denied01/04/2024
783
Not Provided
---
Denied04/18/2024
707
Equifax
---
Denied04/18/2024
714
Experian
---
Denied01/17/2024
795
Not Provided
---
Denied05/29/2024
727
Not Provided
---
Denied06/12/2024
770
Not Provided
---

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Welcome Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.74% – 28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM. Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and on drugstore purchases. Earn 1.5% cash back on other purchases.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great all-around option for those who want elevated rewards on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on everything else. Plus, the welcome offer earns you extra cash back in the first year.

You also get free credit score access updated weekly with Credit Journey.

1.5% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Drugstores
Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
3% cash back
Dining
Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
5% cash back
Travel
5% cash back on all travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • Up to 5% cash back

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved05/23/2024
640
Not Provided
$300
Approved04/25/2024
801
Experian
$10,000
Approved06/13/2024
741
Not Provided
$6,000
Approved06/19/2024
667
Experian
$5,500
Approved06/19/2024
686
TransUnion
$5,500
Approved06/19/2024
687
Equifax
$5,500
Approved01/05/2024
689
Experian
$11,000
Approved01/05/2024
695
Equifax
$11,000
Approved01/05/2024
696
Equifax
$11,000
Approved01/05/2024
722
TransUnion
$11,000
Approved01/05/2024
732
TransUnion
$11,000
Approved01/05/2024
733
Experian
$11,000
Approved09/09/2024
749
TransUnion
$12,000
Approved09/09/2024
762
Experian
$12,000
Approved09/09/2024
770
Equifax
$12,000
Approved07/17/2024
708
Equifax
$5,600
Approved07/17/2024
709
Experian
$5,600
Approved07/17/2024
711
TransUnion
$5,600

American Express® Gold Card

American Express Gold
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.8

★★★★★☆

American Express® Gold Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points

Est. Value

Up to $1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Rewards: Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year. Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year. Earn 3x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1x Membership Rewards® on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

Not only does the American Express® Gold Card offer rewards every time you dine, but there are also a number of credits that really make this card worth the annual fee. There’s a $120 dining credit, up to $120 in Uber Cash (up to $10 per month), and $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property. The Uber Cash credit is only available for use in the U.S. when you add your Amex Gold card to the Uber app. Enrollment is required. Up until 11/6/2024 you earn 20% cash back on restaurant purchases, up to $100 cash back.

There’s a generous welcome offer and American Express has great customer service. There are also no foreign transaction fees, making this an excellent card for international travel. Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.

*Terms Apply

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
2x points
Hotels
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
3x points
Airfare
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
4x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4x points
Dining
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 4x points
  • Excellent dining credit

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved06/13/2023
699
TransUnion
$1,750
Approved02/03/2024
688
Equifax
---
Approved02/03/2024
690
Experian
---
Approved02/03/2024
731
TransUnion
---
Approved02/27/2023
700
Experian
---

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer

$200 Cash Back

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Earn 3% cash back at grocery stores excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®, on dining, on entertainment, and on popular streaming services. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers elevated cash back on several everyday purchases. There’s no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. There’s also a 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR. Paired with a daily driver, this card can help you maximize cash back on all of your everyday purchases.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Supermarkets
3% cash back at grocery stores excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®
3% cash back
Streaming services
3% cash back on popular streaming services
3% cash back
Dining
3% cash back on dining
3% cash back
Entertainment
3% cash back on entertainment
5% cash back
Hotels
Earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
5% cash back
Rental Cars
Earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
8% cash back
Entertainment
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 10% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved04/06/2023
740
Not Provided
$1,000
Approved09/13/2023
720
TransUnion
$10,000
Approved09/13/2023
740
Equifax
$10,000
Approved09/13/2023
780
Not Provided
$10,000
Approved12/05/2023
760
Not Provided
$10,000
Approved02/01/2023
661
Experian
$5,000
Approved02/01/2023
729
TransUnion
$5,000
Approved05/11/2023
815
Not Provided
$10,000
Approved06/08/2023
620
Not Provided
$5,000
Approved04/04/2023
700
Not Provided
$1,000
Approved08/14/2023
734
Experian
$1,000
Approved08/14/2023
738
Not Provided
$1,000
Approved02/02/2023
795
Not Provided
$15,000
Approved02/02/2023
803
Not Provided
$15,000
Approved09/05/2023
820
Experian
$40,000
Approved04/12/2023
768
Equifax
$20,000
Approved04/12/2023
768
TransUnion
$20,000
Approved04/12/2023
772
Experian
$20,000
Approved02/12/2023
657
TransUnion
$1,000
Approved08/10/2023
672
Not Provided
---
Approved08/10/2023
803
Experian
---
Denied06/16/2023
700
Not Provided
---
Denied10/25/2023
776
Not Provided
---
Denied10/25/2023
778
Not Provided
---
Denied03/08/2023
811
TransUnion
---
Denied03/26/2024
736
Experian
---
Denied06/17/2023
797
Not Provided
---
Denied08/05/2023
710
Not Provided
---
Denied12/02/2023
771
TransUnion
---
Denied12/02/2023
804
Experian
---

Best Category King Credit Cards

Category king credit cards earn at least 5% cash back or 5x points or miles on at least one category. Maximize your credit card rewards to the fullest by adding a category king card to your wallet after you have your daily driver and your triple play cards. Here are some great category king credit cards to consider.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn a $250 statement credit

Est. Value

$250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

18.24% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Rewards: Earn 6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%, and 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms Apply.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent value for anyone who wants to save money on groceries. You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Plus, 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1% cash back on everything else. The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout. It’s pretty easy to earn back more than the annual fee, which is waived for the first year anyway.

*Terms Apply

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Gas
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% cash back
Transit
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
6% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
6% cash back
Streaming services
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • Up to 6% cash back

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Foreign transaction fee
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved01/19/2023
825
Not Provided
$6,000
Approved05/04/2023
738
Experian
$20,000
Approved05/04/2023
748
TransUnion
$20,000
Approved05/04/2023
755
Equifax
$20,000
Approved09/16/2024
805
Experian
$25,000

Prime Visa

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Prime Visa

Welcome Offer

Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card

Est. Value

$100

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.74% – 28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Rewards: Eligible Prime cardmembers earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com. Earn 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare). Earn 1% back on other purchases.

The Prime Visa is ideal for anyone who uses Amazon regularly. The up-front welcome offer is okay, but the card is a real banger regarding cashback on Amazon purchases and Chase Travel purchases. No annual fee means it costs nothing to keep it tucked away for when it’s needed, although you will need an Amazon Prime membership.

All information about Prime Visa has been collected independently by allCards.com. Prime Visa is no longer available through allCards.com.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.
2% cash back
Dining
Earn unlimited 2% back at restaurants.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations.
2% cash back
Transit
Earn unlimited 2% back on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership.
5% cash back
Travel
Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.
10% cash back
Select Categories
Eligible Prime cardmembers earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 5% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
  • Need a Prime membership to get the best rewards
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved01/10/2023
730
Not Provided
---
Approved11/19/2024
786
Experian
$30,000
Approved03/26/2024
747
Equifax
$2,000
Approved03/26/2024
753
Experian
$2,000
Approved05/17/2023
686
Not Provided
---
Approved02/01/2024
620
TransUnion
$4,400
Approved02/01/2024
637
Experian
$4,400
Approved02/01/2024
660
Equifax
$4,400
Approved07/08/2023
782
Equifax
$18,000
Approved07/08/2023
799
TransUnion
$18,000
Approved07/08/2023
806
Experian
$18,000
Approved07/17/2023
746
Experian
$8,600
Approved12/16/2024
778
Not Provided
$20,000
Approved03/17/2024
662
Experian
$1,500
Approved03/17/2024
678
Equifax
$1,500
Approved03/17/2024
684
TransUnion
$1,500
Approved06/27/2023
736
Experian
$2,000
Approved06/27/2023
771
Equifax
$2,000
Approved05/25/2023
820
Not Provided
$28,000
Approved05/25/2023
837
Not Provided
$28,000
Approved05/25/2023
844
Not Provided
$28,000
Approved06/01/2023
660
Experian
$3,000
Approved06/01/2023
677
TransUnion
$3,000
Approved06/01/2023
680
Equifax
$3,000
Approved06/14/2023
730
Not Provided
$5,000
Approved05/08/2023
725
Not Provided
$500
Approved07/11/2023
739
Experian
$20,000
Approved05/21/2023
704
Experian
$500
Approved12/12/2023
625
Experian
$1,900
Approved12/12/2023
635
Equifax
$1,900
Approved04/05/2023
670
Not Provided
$2,000
Approved04/03/2023
751
Experian
$17,300
Approved11/24/2023
760
Not Provided
$15,000
Approved01/24/2024
760
Not Provided
$30,000
Approved01/17/2024
750
Not Provided
---
Approved07/18/2023
758
Experian
$6,000
Approved05/10/2024
740
Not Provided
---
Approved08/07/2023
750
Not Provided
$5,700
Approved10/11/2023
811
Equifax
$5,000
Approved10/11/2023
814
TransUnion
$5,000
Approved10/11/2023
817
Experian
$5,000
Approved05/01/2023
771
Experian
$21,300
Approved05/09/2024
724
Not Provided
$9,000
Approved09/18/2023
750
Equifax
$9,000
Approved10/31/2023
646
Experian
$500
Approved10/31/2023
646
TransUnion
$500
Approved10/31/2023
665
Equifax
$500
Approved06/12/2023
741
Experian
$6,900
Approved06/12/2023
751
TransUnion
$6,900
Approved06/12/2023
759
Equifax
$6,900
Approved04/23/2023
681
Not Provided
$3,500
Denied04/03/2023
786
Not Provided
---
Denied11/07/2023
715
Not Provided
---

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Amex Platinum Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Est. Value

Up to $1,600

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express has a hefty annual fee, but if you use all the credits it has excellent value. It offers a $200 Hotel Credit, a $240 Digital Entertainment Credit, a $200 Airline Fee Credit, $200 Uber Cash (Terms Apply) and a $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit. You also get a $155 Walmart+ Credit that includes free shipping on Walmart purchases and a Paramount+ subscription. Plus, complimentary access to 1,400+ airport lounges.

*Terms Apply

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on other eligible purchases
5x points
Airfare
5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
5x points
Hotels
5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Excellent annual credits
  • Lounge access
  • Up to 5x points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved04/25/2024
649
Not Provided
---
Approved03/20/2024
800
Not Provided
---
Approved04/28/2023
812
Equifax
---
Approved04/28/2023
820
TransUnion
---
Approved04/28/2023
825
Experian
---
Approved08/16/2023
698
Equifax
$25,000
Approved08/16/2023
709
Experian
$25,000
Approved08/16/2023
728
TransUnion
$25,000
Approved12/11/2023
695
TransUnion
---
Approved12/11/2023
713
Experian
---
Approved12/11/2023
714
Equifax
---
Approved01/04/2023
696
Not Provided
---
Approved06/21/2023
700
Not Provided
---
Approved01/23/2023
675
Not Provided
$6,000
Approved11/01/2023
683
Experian
---
Approved11/01/2023
703
TransUnion
---
Approved11/01/2023
718
Equifax
---
Approved08/17/2023
737
TransUnion
---
Approved08/17/2023
742
Equifax
---
Approved08/17/2023
758
Experian
---
Approved05/29/2024
680
Experian
---

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

If you’re not interested in credit card rewards, you may be looking for a 0% introductory APR offer from a credit card. Here are some notable cards with that one feature.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 

Citi Diamond Preferred
Learn More

Our Rating: 3.6

★★★★☆☆

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Welcome Offer

0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers

Est. Value

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.24% – 27.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: None

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is an excellent choice if you’ve accumulated high-interest debt on other credit cards. This card has one of the longest 0% intro APR offers on balance transfers available today. You can get 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases, then 17.24% - 27.99% variable APR. The downsides are that there are no rewards or a welcome offer, but for balance transfers, this card is hard to beat.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • 0% Intro APR

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • No rewards
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved10/15/2022
721
Not Provided
$7,600
Approved11/18/2022
763
Experian
$9,000
Approved11/18/2022
766
Experian
$9,000
Approved11/18/2022
787
Equifax
$9,000
Approved11/18/2022
802
Equifax
$9,000
Approved04/13/2023
777
TransUnion
$13,100
Approved04/13/2023
781
Experian
$13,100
Approved04/21/2023
676
Equifax
$1,000
Approved04/21/2023
709
Experian
$1,000
Approved04/21/2023
715
TransUnion
$1,000
Approved01/11/2023
720
Equifax
$8,900
Approved02/15/2023
734
Experian
$1,000

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
Learn More

Our Rating: 3.5

★★★★☆☆

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Welcome Offer

None

Est. Value

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.74% to 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good 670 – 739

Rewards: None

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has one of the longest 0% intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers. You can get 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 21 months on purchases, then 17.74% to 28.74% variable APR. There are no rewards, but you can choose your due date, and you get cell phone protection when you use your card to pay the bill. Not bad for a card with no annual fee.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Lengthy introductory 0% APR

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • No rewards
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved04/22/2021
800
Not Provided
$5,000
Approved01/31/2021
750
Not Provided
$1,100
Approved07/30/2021
740
Not Provided
$500
Denied05/18/2019
700
Not Provided
---

See also: Our complete list of 0% credit cards

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for You

Finding the best credit card for you is both an art and a science. To some extent, it’s about the numbers. You can look for cards with the lowest interest rates and 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 your financial goals, such as earning rewards, paying down debt with a 0% intro APR offer, or just having an everyday card you can use. Also, consider your credit score. If you don’t know your score, there are plenty of ways to access your score for free.

Cash Back Credit Cards

For cash back cards, there are two approaches. You either carry one card with excellent rewards or 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.

See also: Our complete list of cash back credit cards

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Finding the best 0% intro APR 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 nearly impossible today, as many balance transfer offers have left the market. Still, paying even a 3% balance transfer fee is better than paying a 15% interest rate if you’re carrying a balance on another credit card.

Travel Credit Cards

Travel cards represent a diverse universe of rewards. They include general travel rewards independent of a specific company, airline miles cards, hotel rewards cards, and even specialty cards. The “best” travel card depends on how you use the card and how you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many credit cards should I have?

There’s no “right” answer here. The amount of cards you should have depends on what you use them for and your ability to pay them off monthly.

If you travel by plane often throughout the year, a travel rewards card can get you great air miles. If you also travel by car or have a long commute, you might also choose a credit card offering high cash back for gas station spending.

If you don’t want to keep track of multiple cards and remember which one to use to get the most rewards, a basic everyday spending card might be your best option.

When is it time to get a new credit card?

If you have good or excellent credit, check if the card you’re currently using offers the same or better rewards and perks as the ones listed above. If you find another credit card that can beat yours and you haven’t applied for credit in the last six months, it might be time for a new credit card. Choose carefully though, applying for too many cards in a short period can be a reason to deny your application.

Are credit cards with annual fees worth it?

If you can get your money back in the form of cash back, paying an annual fee for a credit card is worth it. These cards usually come with additional perks including airport lounge access or travel credits. Before you commit to applying for the card, do the math and be sure you can easily earn that annual fee back by using the card.

Final Thoughts

I’ve monitored credit card offers since 2007 and gathered this information from a database of hundreds of cards. This article contains what I think are the overall best credit cards available today.

Please note this list is updated monthly, and offers are subject to change. If you’re just as keen about using the best credit cards as I am, be sure to revisit this page. I’m confident you’ll find one that works for you.

Rob Berger is the founder of allCards.com. He's written about personal finance and investing since 2007 and is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. He is a former litigation attorney in the securities field and the Founding Editor of Forbes Advisor.

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