15 Best Credit Cards of September 2023

Picking the best credit card is no easy task. It depends largely on your financial goals (e.g., travel, cash back, 0% 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.

Overview of the Best Credit Card Offers

Credit CardKey Benefit
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Chase Freedom Flex(SM)Up to 5% Cash Back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressUp to 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets
Chase Freedom Unlimited®Best for Travel with Up to 5% Cash Back
Wells Fargo Active Cash® CardSimple Cash Back with Unlimited 2% Cash Back
Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offerUp to 2% Unlimited Cash Back
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit CardUp to 2.5% Cash Back
Amazon Prime VisaUp to 5% Cash Back on Amazon and Whole Foods
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers
American Express® Gold CardEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardEnjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit CardBest for students, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit CardBest for Fair Credit with 1.5% Cash Back

Best Overall Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card makes the cut for several reasons. It has an excellent signup bonus, up to 5x rewards, and unparalleled travel benefits and perks, including no foreign transaction fees.

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

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

Here's the welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Rewards Recap:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on all other purchases.
2x points
Travel
2x points on travel not booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, such as airfare, hotels, taxes and trains.
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
3x points
Streaming services
Earn 3x points on select streaming services.
3x points
Dining
3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
5x points
Travel
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is offering the following welcome bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Additional perks include no annual fee, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months months from account opening, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%. You also get free credit score access updated weekly with Credit Journey.

Rewards Recap:

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
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Cash Back Cards

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers this welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

You also earn up to 6% cash back with the card.

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

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
3% cash back
Gas
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% cash back
Transit
3% cash back on transit, such as taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses
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

Chase Freedom Flex(SM)

Chase Freedom Flex(SM) is 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.

There's no annual fee, and perks include free access to your credit score and a 0% APR introductory rate for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%–29.24%.

Here's a look at the welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Drugstores
3% cash back on drugstore purchases
3% cash back
Dining
3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
5% cash back
Rotating Categories
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
5% cash back
Travel
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

If you're looking for an easy, everyday rewards credit card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card might be the best choice right now.

You can earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases and 0% APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. It's one of the few cards with no annual fee that offers cell phone protection, up to $600 when you pay your monthly bill with the card.

Here's the welcome bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Rewards Recap:

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

Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer

The Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer offers up to 2% cash back on purchases. You can earn an unlimited 1% on every purchase and an additional 1% when you off your purchases.

There's no annual fee for this card and there's also an introductory 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.

Rewards Recap:

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.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is my go-to cash back credit card. There's no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and the card is compatible with Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Rewards Recap:

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.

Amazon Prime Visa

One card that gets an honorable mention is the Amazon Prime Visa. If you buy from Amazon or Whole Foods, this card is a must.

There's no annual fee and you can earn up to 5% cash back.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1% back all other purchases anywhere Visa is accepted.
2% cash back
Dining
Earn 2% rewards at Earn unlimited 2% back at restaurants, whether you dine in or take out.
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 Fresh online or in-store at any Amazon Fresh locations with an eligible Prime membership.
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn unlimited 5% back at Whole Foods Market online or in-store at any Whole Foods Market locations with an eligible Prime membership.
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn unlimited 5% back on your Amazon.com purchases 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.

See also: Our complete list of cash back credit cards

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has one of the longest 0% APR offers available today. You get 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases. There's also no annual fee.

You won't get much in the way of rewards and there's no welcome bonus, but for a balance transfer card, it's hard to beat.


U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card also offers a lengthy 0% introductory APR. You can choose your due date, and you get cell phone protection.

This card offers 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers and for 18 billing cycles on purchases. After that, a variable APR currently 19.74% - 29.74%. There's also no annual fee.

See also: Our complete list of 0% credit cards

Travel Rewards Credit Cards

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card offers the following welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

There are also no foreign transaction fees, making this an excellent card for international travel. The annual fee is $250, and you can choose between a Gold or Rose Gold card.

Rewards Recap:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on all other eligible purchases
3x points
Airfare
3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
4x points
U.S. supermarkets
4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year.
4x points
Dining
4x points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the following welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

There is a $695 annual fee, but the card also offers several credits, including a $200 Hotel Credit, $240 Digital Entertainment Credit, $200 Airline Fee Credit, $200 Uber Cash, $300 Equinox Credit, and a  $189 CLEAR Credit. See terms and conditions.

Rewards Recap:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x on all other purchases
5x points
Airfare
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases each calendar year
5x points
Hotels
5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers this welcome bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

The annual fee is $95, and perks include no foreign transaction fees, up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Earn up to 5x miles on hotels or car rentals made through Capital One Travel. Miles aren't specific to any airline or hotel, so they can be used anywhere. Miles won't expire for the life of the account. You can also transfer miles to more than 10 travel programs. Plus, travel when you want with no blackout dates.

Rewards Recap:

2x miles
All eligible purchases
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
5x miles
Hotels
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

See also: Our complete list of travel rewards credit cards

Bad Credit, No Credit, Limited Credit, or Students

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card 

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great card for students. It has a small welcome bonus (enough for pizza night) and has solid cash back rewards on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and at grocery stores–everywhere students spend the most money. And there's no annual fee.       

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
3% cash back
Streaming services
Earn 3% cash back on popular streaming services
3% cash back
Dining
Earn 3% cash back on dining
3% cash back
Entertainment
Earn 3% cash back on entertainment
8% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
10% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a simple 1.5% cash back on every purchase and comes with a $39 annual fee. The card also offers up to 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (see terms).

You can get automatically considered for a higher credit line 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.

Rewards Recap:

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day

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

Complete List of the Best Credit Cards

Below see our list of credit cards that we have rated 4.5 stars or better (5.0 is the highest possible score). Check out the reviews of each card for more details on rewards, annual fees, and signup bonuses.

Rewards
3%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$500
Rating
5.0
Receive $500 after spending $5,000 in your first 90 days.
Rewards
2x - 10x miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer
150,000 Miles
Rating
4.9
150,000 Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
2% to 3%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.9
Rewards
1.5% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Earn an extra 1.5%
Rating
4.9
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
Rewards
1-3x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
100,000 Points
Rating
4.9
New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
1%-5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$750
Rating
4.9
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1% to 2%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.9
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Rewards
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.9
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Rewards
2x - 10x
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer
75,000 Miles
Rating
4.9
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$750
Rating
4.9
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
2%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.9
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards
1x - 10x
Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.9
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Rewards
None
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.8
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.8
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
Rewards
1x to 3x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
20,000 Points
Rating
4.8
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
Rewards
2% to 5%
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Offer
$1200
Rating
4.8
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
Rewards
1.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.8
N/A
Rewards
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.8
Rewards
3x to 7x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
80,000 Points
Rating
4.8
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
1.5% - 10% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.8
Rewards
1x-4x
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.8
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
1% - 5% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$500
Rating
4.8
Earn a $500 cash bonus after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 150 days the account is open.
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.8
N/A
Rewards
1x - 5x
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
50,000 Points
Rating
4.8
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days.
Rewards
1% - 2%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.7
Rewards
2%-5%
Annual Fee
$195
Welcome Offer
$1,000
Rating
4.7
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
1.5-2.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.7
Rewards
3x to 26x points
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer
140,000 Points
Rating
4.7
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.
Rewards
1x - 2x miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
Welcome Offer
50,000 Miles
Rating
4.7
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Rewards
1x - 3x
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.7
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Rewards
2x
Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Welcome Offer
50,000 Miles
Rating
4.7
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles - equal to $500 in travel once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1.5% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$500
Rating
4.7
Earn a $500 Cash Back once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.7
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.7
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
1% - 10%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.6
N/A
Rewards
2x to 6x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
3
Rating
4.6
Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Rewards
2x to 17x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
80,000 Points
Rating
4.6
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus up to $50 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.
Rewards
2% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.6
Rewards
2%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.6
Rewards
3x - 26x points
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer
140,000 Points
Rating
4.6
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.6
Rewards
1% - 4%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.6
Earn a $200 Bonus after you make $1,000 or more in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening of a PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card.
Rewards
1% - 2%
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Welcome Offer
$0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Rating
4.6
N/A
Rewards
1x - 2x miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
Welcome Offer
75,000 Miles
Rating
4.6
Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 5,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23.
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$39
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.6
Rewards
1x - 3x miles
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
90,000 Miles
Rating
4.6
Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23.
Rewards
1% - 10%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$100
Rating
4.5
As a Prime member, get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly loaded into your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval of your credit card application.
Rewards
1%-6%
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer
$250
Rating
4.5
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Rewards
1.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.5
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
Up to 6%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
None
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
N/A
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
$300
Rating
4.5
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
1.5% or 1x points
Annual Fee
$0 first year, and then $125
Welcome Offer
$1000
Rating
4.5
Earn a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you spend $25,000 in the first three months after account open date.
Rewards
2x - 3x Points
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer
50,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
3x to 12x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
150,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
1x to 2x miles
Annual Fee
$595
Welcome Offer
70,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
1x - 3x miles
Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer
60,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Rewards
1x to 3x Points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
15000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 15,000 Bonus Points when you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
Rewards
1x to 5x points
Annual Fee
No Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
15,000 Points
Rating
4.5
15,000 Bonus Points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days
Rewards
1.5% to 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
N/A
Rewards
1x to 3x points
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
Rewards
1 to 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$50
Rating
4.5
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Rewards
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
80,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
1.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.5
Earn $200 bonus when you open a Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions
Rewards
1x to 2x miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Welcome Offer
40,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Rewards
1%
Annual Fee
$39
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
1X to 4X points
Annual Fee
$199
Welcome Offer
80,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
2x - 5x miles
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
75,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1x to 3x Points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
100,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn up to 100,000 bonus points – 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
Rewards
1x to 2x miles
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Welcome Offer
50,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Rewards
1x - 2x
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Welcome Offer
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months Points
Rating
4.5
N/A
Rewards
1% -10%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Rating
4.5
$200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
1 to 3 Avios
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
75,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards
1x to 2x Miles
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Welcome Offer
65,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
Rewards
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$295
Welcome Offer
70,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
Rewards
1x - 3x miles
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
50,000 Miles
Rating
4.5
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Rewards
1 stamp
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
1.5X - 2X Points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
60000 Points
Rating
4.5
Get 60,000 online bonus points — a $600 value — after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards
1x to 5x Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
120,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
1%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
None
Rating
4.5
N/A
Rewards
1x to 9x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
60,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Get 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Rewards
1x to 5x points
Annual Fee
$400
Welcome Offer
50,000 Points
Rating
4.5
Earn 50,000 bonus points worth $750 in travel when you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.

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% 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.

To maximize your cash, the Chase Freedom Flex(SM) and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express mentioned above are two excellent options.

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. 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 of time 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.