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The best credit cards of October 2024

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The best credit cards of October 2024


Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

With so many credit cards on the market, it can be hard to choose the best one. There’s no one-size-fits-all credit card, but options for different types of people — whether you’re a foodie, road warrior, traveler, student or someone looking to build credit. A little research can help you find a card specifically designed for your lifestyle.

Below, CNBC Select rounded up the best credit cards of October 2024 that can help you build credit, save on interest and earn rewards. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.)

Best credit cards of October 2024

Best balance transfer credit card

Citi Simplicity® Card

  • Rewards

  • Welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening.

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Balances can be transferred within 4 months from account opening
  • One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No rewards program

Who’s this for? If you want to save on credit card interest, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers one of the longest intro-APR periods for balance transfers and purchases.

Standout benefits: When you open a new Citi Simplicity Card, you’ll receive an intro 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months from the date of the first transfer (after that, a 18.74% – 29.49% variable APR applies). Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum) within four months of opening the account (after that, the balance transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount transferred with a $5 minimum).

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Best for dining

American Express® Gold Card

On the American Express secure site

  • Rewards

    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. 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, 3X Membership Rewards® points on per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • You can earn over $400 in statement credits every year
  • Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
  • No fee charged on foreign transactions

Cons

  • No introductory APR
  • $325 annual fee

Who’s this for? You should consider the American Express® Gold Card if food is a major expense for you and you enjoy traveling.

Standout benefits: You can receive an annual dining credit of up to $120 (up to $10 in statement credits a month) at participating partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. (Terms apply; enrollment required). You also receive up to $120 in Uber Cash each year (up to $10 a month) after you download the latest version of the Uber App and add your eligible American Express® Gold Card to your Uber account, which you can use for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (benefit may only be used in the U.S.).

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Best no annual fee credit card

Citi Double Cash® Card

  • Rewards

    Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 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.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
  • Simple cash-back program that doesn’t require activation or spending caps
  • One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months

Cons

  • 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
  • Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $443
  • Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213

Who’s this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option if you want to start saving on purchases right away because it has no annual fee and earns a flat 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you make a purchase and an additional 1% when you pay your credit card bill).

Standout benefits: This card is also a good choice for debt consolidation. There’s a 0% intro APR for the first 18 months for balance transfers (after that, a 18.74% – 28.74% variable APR applies). There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

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Best cash-back credit card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • Rewards

    Enjoy 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

  • Welcome bonus

    INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

  • Foreign transaction fee

    3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

  • Credit needed

  • Member FDIC. Terms apply.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Rewards can be transferred to a Chase Ultimate Rewards card
  • Generous welcome bonus

Cons

  • 3% fee charged on foreign transactions

Who’s this for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is ideal if you want a robust cash-back card with no annual fee.

Standout benefits: When you open the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you receive an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, after that, a 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR applies. For the first 60 days, there’s an intro transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer (or $5, whichever is greater), which increases to 5% of the amount you transfer (or $5 minimum, whichever is greater) after the intro transfer fee period.

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Best no annual fee travel credit card

Discover it® Miles

On Discover’s secure site

  • Rewards

    Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

  • Welcome bonus

    Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Miles program
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • No blackout dates
  • No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire

Cons

  • No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
  • Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
  • No airport lounge access

Who’s this for? If you want to earn rewards you can use for your next vacation, you will appreciate the Discover it® Miles card’s generous rewards program and $0 annual fee.

Standout benefits: With the Discover it® Miles you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases. The welcome offer is also hard to beat because Discover will match all the miles you earn the first year (for new card members in their first year only).

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Best for airport lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

On the American Express secure site

  • 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, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit Needed

Pros

  • Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade)
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. (Enrollment required)
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month. (Enrollment is required for select benefits mentioned)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee
  • No special financing offers on new purchases

Best secured credit card

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

On Discover’s secure site

  • Rewards

    Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

  • Welcome bonus

    Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Cash-back program
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit

Cons

  • Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
  • Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses

Who’s this for? The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a secured credit card as it can not only help you build credit but also earn rewards.

Standout benefits: You’ll earn a competitive 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%. Plus, you can earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

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Best welcome bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  • Rewards

    Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

    21.49% – 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

  • Balance transfer fee

    Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
  • Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
  • Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
  • No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No introductory 0% APR

Who’s this for? If you want to get a lot of value right off the bat, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. The welcome bonus gets you 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (worth $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠).

Standout benefits: The Sapphire Preferred has strong earning categories for those who spend on travel and dining. It earns 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X points on all other purchases.

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Best for college students

Discover it® Student Cash Back

On Discover’s secure site

  • Rewards

    Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

  • Welcome bonus

    Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% for 6 months on purchases

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Cash-back program
  • Generous welcome bonus

Cons

  • Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
  • Cash-back program limits earnings: Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in various categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%
  • You must be a U.S. citizen and college student to apply for this card

Who’s this for? College students will love the Discover it® Student Cash Back because you can earn lots of cashback and take advantage of 0% intro APR financing.

Standout benefits: With a new Discover it Student Cash Back card, you’ll receive an introductory 0% APR for six months on new purchases — perfect for financing dorm room essentials or textbooks. After the intro period, there’s an 17.74% – 26.74% variable APR. After you graduate, your Discover it Student card becomes a regular credit card.

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Best grocery rewards credit card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

On the American Express secure site

  • Rewards

    6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. 

  • Annual fee

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

  • Intro APR

    Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.74% – 29.74%.

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • High 6% cash back at U.S. supermarket spending (up to $6,000 a year, then 1%)
  • 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit

Cons

  • 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad
  • Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $679
  • Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,397

Rewards totals incorporate the cash back earned from the welcome bonus

Who’s this for? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can help you save on groceries because it earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).

Standout benefits: This card has valuable statement credit benefits you can take advantage of. You can receive up to $84 in Disney bundle credit ($7 back a month after spending at least $9.99, enrollment required. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.).

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Best credit card for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Rewards

    5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

  • Welcome bonus

    Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    N/A for purchases and balance transfers

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Cons

  • No introductory APR
  • There’s a $95 annual fee

Who’s this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers loads of perks designed with travelers in mind. If you want valuable rewards and useful benefits, this card is a good fit.

Standout benefits: In addition to earning valuable Capital One miles, every four years you’ll receive a credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, up to $120. Keep in mind that if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll also receive TSA PreCheck’s expedited security benefits.

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Best for 0% APR

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo’s secure site

  • Rewards

  • Welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.

  • Regular APR

    17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
  • Access to Visa Signature® Concierge
  • Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
  • Access to My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of an account credit when shopping, dining

Cons

  • No rewards
  • No welcome bonus
  • 3% fee charged on foreign transactions

Who’s this for? The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is great if you’re seeking a highly generous intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers.

Standout rewards: With this card, you can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for a full 21 months (17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter). For a balance transfer to qualify for the intro APR, it must be made within 120 days from account opening, and a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount transferred applies ($5 minimum).

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Best for travel rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • Rewards

    Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
  • Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
  • Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
  • Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership

Cons

  • High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
  • No introductory APR
  • Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
  • Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who’s this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is geared toward foodies and frequent travelers looking for luxurious perks. If you want airport lounge access, top-tier travel insurance and a robust rewards program, this card may be for you.

Standout benefits: The points you earn with this card offer a combination of value and simplicity. With this card, all points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents each) when redeemed toward travel via Chase Travel℠. Alternatively, you can transfer your points to over a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners.

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Best for paying rent

Bilt Mastercard®

  • Rewards

    Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points – Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases

  • Welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    Up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Solid rewards on broad spending categories
  • Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
  • Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including United and World of Hyatt®

Who’s this for? You will love the Bilt Mastercard® if you rent your home as it is the only card that lets you earn transferrable travel rewards on rent payments with no fees.

Standout benefits: The points you earn with the Bilt Mastercard have lots of uses and can be extremely valuable. Perhaps the best way to redeem Bilt points is by transferring to one of its travel partners, which include programs such as World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus and Alaska Mileage Plan.

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Best for premium perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Rewards

    Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

    19.99% – 29.99% variable APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

  • Foreign transaction fees

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Large welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to $120 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network

Cons

  • High annual fee
  • No introductory 0% APR period

Who’s this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is worth looking into if you want a premium travel card but don’t want to pay an ultra-high annual fee. It has a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features and simple benefits that can easily offset its cost.

Standout benefits: With the Capital One Venture X card, you’ll receive up to $300 in credits each year for bookings you make through Capital One Travel. You’ll also get a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel), making it easy to recoup the $395 annual fee.

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Best entertainment rewards credit card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Rewards

    Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; Terms apply, 3% cash back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 3% cash back on popular streaming services and entertainment, and 1% cash back on all other purchases

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months

  • Regular APR

    19.99% – 29.99% variable 

  • Balance transfer fee

    3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases
  • Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
  • Competitive special financing offer on both new purchases and balance transfers
  • No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Cons

  • 3% balance transfer fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Best for building credit

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

  • Rewards

    1% cash back on eligible purchases right away and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments; 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants

  • Welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • No credit history required (if you do have a credit history, that does factor into the credit decision)
  • No fees whatsoever
  • 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments; 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
  • Credit limits range from $300 to $10,000

Cons

  • Card isn’t for rebuilding credit, but it’s good for building credit
  • No special financing offers
  • No welcome bonus
  • Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $249
  • Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,577

Who’s this for? The Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card, is ideal if you’re trying to improve your credit because it’s easier to get approved. Instead of approving you based entirely on credit history, your bank statements and other data, such as your debt-to-income ratio, can factor into your eligibility.

Standout benefits: The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card has no annual fee, no late payment fee, no returned payment fee and no foreign transaction fees. And it stands out for consumers trying to build credit because there’s no security deposit required.

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Best low-interest credit card

Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union

Information about the Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

  • Rewards

    3X points on gas and grocery purchases and 1.5X points on all other purchases

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,500 within the first 90 days

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    N/A for purchases and balance transfers

  • Regular APR

    14.74% to 18.00% variable on purchases and balance transfers

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • Low 9.49% to 16.49% variable APR
  • No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Cons

  • Credit union membership required, though it’s free
  • No special financing on purchases or balance transfers
  • Balance transfer fee of 1.5%, or $50, whichever is greater.
  • Estimated return after 1 year: $543
  • Estimated return after 5 years: $2,314

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who’s this for? The Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union stands out for offering low interest rates, rewards, no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee. This makes it a great alternative to cards with high APRs.

Standout benefits: This card offers a variable APR of 14.74% to 18.00% on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances. If you carry a balance, and can’t qualify for a 0%-APR offer, you can benefit from the low interest this card offers. Keep in mind, balance transfers incur a fee of $10.00 or 2.00% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

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Best gas rewards credit card

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

  • Rewards

    5X points on gas purchases at the pump and electrical vehicle charging stations, 3X points on purchases at the supermarket (including most Target and Walmart locations), restaurants, and TV, radio, cable, streaming services

  • Welcome bonus

    15,000 points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

    0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 90 days after account opening.*

  • Regular APR

    17.99% variable on purchases; 17.99% non-variable on balance transfers

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • High 5X points on gas at the pump and 3X on supermarket purchases
  • No bonus category activations
  • Good special financing offer on balance transfers
  • Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $513
  • Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,167

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus.

*0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 90 days after account opening. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be a non-variable rate of 17.99%. 3% balance transfer fee per transaction. Subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.

Who’s this for? The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card is great if you drive a lot and want to supercharge the rewards you earn at the pump.

Standout benefits: You’ll pay no annual fee to keep this card. This makes its 5X points on gas at the pump and EV charging stations more valuable since you won’t have to offset a yearly fee.

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Citi Simplicity® Card

The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

After you’re approved for the Citi Simplicity Card, you’ll have two intro-APR offers you can utilize. You’ll receive an intro 0% APR for 12 months on purchases. You can also receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from the date of account opening. After both intro APRs expire, a variable 18.74% – 29.49% APR applies.

This is nearly two years to pay off debt, which can be helpful if you have a large balance or if your cash flow doesn’t allow you to pay off the debt within the 6-, 12- or 15-month time periods of other balance transfer cards. This card has no annual fee and comes with an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). This can be worthwhile if you’re paying high interest charges.

New cardholders have four months to complete their balance transfer (longer than the typical 60 to 90 days). While you have more time to complete a transfer, the intro APR period starts at account opening, so try to make the transfer as soon as possible to get the most benefit of the interest-free period.

This card also never charges late fees (though we always recommend you pay your balance on time and in full).

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American Express® Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is great for dining out and grocery shopping and earns Amex Membership Rewards points — some of the most valuable travel points.

Rewards

  • 4X points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year
  • 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X points for the rest of the year
  • 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
  •  2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • 1X point on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

Annual fee

$325 (see rates and fees)

Notable perks

This card has a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it can be largely offset if you take advantage of the up to $120 in dining credits each year (up to $10 in statement credits monthly) when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash each year (up to $10 monthly) when you add your Card to your Uber account (may only be used in the U.S.; enrollment required). If you max out those two benefits, it’s not hard for the card’s other perks to make the Amex Gold’s annual fee worth it.

Gold Card members can also participate in Amex Offers, where you can earn statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards® points at select retailers when you enroll. These limited-time offers are targeted and additional terms apply.

One of the best aspects of this card is the American Express Membership Rewards points you can earn. The value of Membership Rewards points varies depending on how you redeem them. You can use them in various ways, from paying with points at checkout on sites like Amazon to redeeming for gift cards or a statement credit to booking travel.

However, these options tend to yield less value than utilizing Amex’s transfer partners. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to a long list of airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges and more.

You are also protected by a handful of purchase and travel insurance* perks:

  • Baggage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
  • Extended warranty (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
  • Purchase protection (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
  • Trip delay insurance (Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.)
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance (secondary) (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.)

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

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Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.

Rewards

  • 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

Welcome bonus

Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

With the Citi Double Cash Card, you’ll receive an intro 0% APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers you complete within four months of opening the account. Once the intro-APR expires, a variable 18.74% – 28.74% APR applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer with a $5 minimum for transfers completed in the first four months. After that, the balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum).

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Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no annual fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases.

Rewards

  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 5% back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
  • 3% back at drugstores
  • 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
  • 1.5% on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on every purchase on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

You can benefit from a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after that, a 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR applies). The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum) on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, it’s either 5% of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum.

This card also offers a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for three months with 50% off for the next nine months. Simply activate by December 31, 2024. You’ll also have access to rental car collision damage insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

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Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles has a generous rewards structure and no annual fee.

Rewards

  • 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase

Welcome bonus

Discover will match the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

You can receive an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, an 17.74% – 27.74% variable APR applies. There’s a 3% intro balance transfer fee and up to 5% balance transfer fee on future transfers, see terms).

With this card, there are no blackout dates when you pay for travel purchases using your card. And, you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel, restaurant or gas station purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. The best part is, the miles you earn never expire — even if your account is closed.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express sets the standard when it comes to benefits with statement credits, airport lounge access and much more.

Rewards

  • 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
  • 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee

$695 (see rates and fees)

Notable perks

Although best known for its travel perks, this card also offers some everyday benefits, so you don’t need to be a road warrior to benefit from it.

You can enjoy over a dozen premium travel and lifestyle benefits, including:

  • Up to $200 back in statement credits each year on select prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel using the Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit (enrollment required)
  • Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. eligible Equinox memberships (enrollment required)
  • Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required)
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
  • Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit (Subject to auto-renewal. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.)
  • Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
  • Up to $200 in Uber Cash each year, up to $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus of up to $20 in December. (Enrollment required. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms apply)
  • Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost
  • Automatic gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (Enrollment required)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance*
  • Cell phone protection*
  • Return protection*
  • Purchase protection*
  • Extended warranty coverage*
  • Terms apply

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The American Express Membership Rewards points you earn with this card can be redeemed to offset purchases, get gift cards and directly book travel through Amex Travel. However, the highest value option is typically to transfer points to one of Amex’s many travel partners, including Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles and many more.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best luxury and premium credit cards.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it Secured Credit Card has no annual fee, no credit score requirement and still earns cash back.

Rewards

  • 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

The Discover it Secured card requires a minimum $200 security deposit, which is fairly standard for secured credit cards. It stands out from the crowd because it gives users a clear path to upgrading to an unsecured card (and getting their deposit back). Starting seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. This takes the guesswork out of wondering when you’ll qualify for an unsecured credit card.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best secured credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.

Rewards

  • 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025
  • 3X points per dollar on dining
  • 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
  • 3X points per dollar on select streaming services
  • 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
  • 1X points per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

The Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn with this card have a lot of uses and a high potential value. You can typically redeem points for things like cash back and gift cards at a rate of one cent per point. When you use Ultimate Rewards points to pay for travel you book through Chase Travel℠, the value increases by 25% to 1.25 cents per point.

Chase also partners with a range of useful hotel and airline loyalty programs. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to programs such as United Airlines MileagePlus, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and more. This allows you to book luxury hotels and international flights at a dramatically increased value per point.

The Sapphire Preferred is a strong option if you want a card with many insurance benefits. It has primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage, trip delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Every year, you’re able to earn a hotel credit of up to $50 for reservations you make through Chase Travel℠. On top of that, you’ll also receive a 10% points boost for every card anniversary based on your purchases for the previous year. If you spent $10,000 in purchases on your card, you’d receive 1,000 bonus points.

If you love treating yourself to takeout or delivery, you’ll want to take advantage of this card’s complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.

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Discover it® Student Cash Back

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a student credit card with valuable rotating bonus categories (activation required).

Rewards

  • 5% back on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating quarterly categories, then 1% back (activation required)
  • 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Discover will match the cash back you earn in the first year of card membership.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

This is a well-rounded card that’s available to you if you’re enrolled in a two- or four-year college. You must be over 18 and a U.S. citizen to apply. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it useful when studying abroad.

After you open a new account, you’ll receive an intro 0% APR on purchases for six months from account opening. After the intro APR ends, a variable 17.74% – 26.74% APR applies.

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits.

Rewards

  • 6% back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%)
  • 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% back on transit
  • 3% back at U.S. gas stations
  • 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)

Notable perks

When approved for an Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card, you’ll receive an intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date you open the account. After that, a variable 19.24% to 29.99% APR applies. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum). (See rates and fees).

It’s not hard to justify this card’s annual fee because of the statement credit offers. You can also receive up to $84 in Disney bundle credit (spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7, enrollment required).

This card has *rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and return protection.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has just about everything you could want in a mid-tier travel credit card, including useful rewards and a reasonable annual fee.

Rewards

  • 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

In addition to the Capital One Venture Rewards card’s Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, you’ll have several other perks at your fingertips. This card has no foreign transaction fees and comes with a bunch of additional perks, such as travel accident insurance, rental car coverage and extended warranty protection.

You’ll also have access to special events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment. If you rent cars frequently, you’ll appreciate the Hertz Five Star® status you’ll get just for having this card.

The Capital One miles you earn have several uses, and the simplest redemption option is often to use miles to offset travel purchases. When you take advantage of this redemption option, you’ll get a value of one cent per point. You can also transfer Capital One miles to a long list of hotel and airline loyalty programs, including Wyndham Rewards, Emirates Skywards, Avianca LifeMiles and Virgin Red.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best credit cards for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is hard to beat if you want to pay less interest and pay down credit card debt faster.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

This card’s intro 0% APR offer applies to purchases as well as balance transfers. So for the first 21 months, you’ll get 0% APR on purchases, then a variable 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% APR applies. For a balance transfer to qualify for the intro APR, it must be made within 120 days from account opening, and a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount transferred applies ($5 minimum).

If you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card, you can qualify for cell phone protection. This coverage has a $25 deductible and covers up to $600 per claim, with a maximum of two claims per year.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card with loads of benefits that can make the annual fee worth it.

Rewards

  • 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase Travel℠ site
  • 10X points on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
  • 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
  • 10X points on eligible Peloton purchases ( up to 50,000 points through Mar. 31, 2025)
  • 5X points on flights purchased through the Chase Travel℠ site
  • 3X points on travel
  • 3X points on dining
  • 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee

$550

Notable perks

If you’re looking to understand the full value of this card, one of the easiest things to overlook is the massive number of protections you’ll get, including:

  • Return protection
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty protection
  • Trip delay reimbursement
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Lost luggage insurance
  • Rental car coverage
  • Roadside assistance
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Emergency evacuation and transportation
  • Emergency medical and dental
  • Travel and emergency assistance services

The Sapphire Reserve also provides you with a $300 travel credit every year, just make eligible travel purchases and you’ll automatically be reimbursed. You can also receive an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once every four years. These perks are on top of unlimited access to Priority Pass airport lounges.

Having this card also increases the value of your points by 50% when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ site. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruise reservations when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. This is a good way to boost the value of your Chase points, which are typically worth one cent each for things like gift cards and cash back.

You’ll also have full access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. This includes 1:1 transfers to United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and more.

The value doesn’t stop there. You can enroll to receive two years of free Lyft Pink All Access (worth $199 a year) when you activate by Dec. 31, 2024. You’re also get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best rewards credit cards and best travel credit cards.

Bilt Mastercard®

You’ll normally be stuck with hefty fees when paying rent with a credit card, but the Bilt Mastercard allows you to turn this expense into travel rewards.

Rewards

Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points at the following rates:

  • Up to 1X points per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
  • 3X points per dollar on dining
  • 2X points per dollar on travel
  • 1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

Having the option to turn one of your biggest expenses — rent — into rewards is a lucrative perk. If you’re concerned about maxing out your card, the BiltProtect feature allows you to earn points without using up your credit limit by linking a bank account.

Other benefits include cell phone protection, purchase security, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption protection and rental car collision coverage. You can also earn $5 in Lyft credit each month (after taking three rides that month; available through Sept. 30, 2025) and there are no foreign transaction fees.

Bilt Rewards points are extremely flexible. They can be redeemed for travel by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent and even make a down payment on a home.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has just about everything you could want in a luxury travel credit card and a lower annual cost compared to its peers.

Rewards

  • 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
  • 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$395

Notable perks

Capital One miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, such as Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest and more. You can also redeem rewards toward travel through Capital One Travel, cash-back, gift cards, experiences and more.

On top of that, the Venture X card offers up to $120 in statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, *complimentary cell phone insurance, special perks on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection and access to Capital One Lounges as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide.

Every year, you’ll also receive up to $300 back in statement credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel, including hotels, rental cars and flights. Plus, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel).

This card has no foreign transaction fees and you can add up to four authorized users for no additional fee.

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining.

Rewards

  • 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases
  • 3% back on dining
  • 3% back on entertainment
  • 3% back on eligible streaming services
  • 3% back at grocery stores
  • 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn $200 cash after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

Cardholders can also benefit from access to exclusive events and experiences through Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Dining.

Plus, you can enjoy an Uber One membership through Nov. 14, 2024, which gets you $0 delivery fees and up to 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders. It also has no foreign transaction fees.

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Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union

The Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union stands out for its low interest rates, strong rewards program and no foreign transaction fees — all at no annual fee.

Rewards

  • 3X points on gas paid at the pump
  • 3X points on groceries
  • 1.5X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 10,000 points after spending at least $1,500 within the first 90 days.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

If you carry a balance, you can benefit from the low interest this card offers compared to other cards. It also has extended warranty coverage, travel and emergency assistance services, rental car collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.

To open this card, you need to join Andrews Federal Credit Union, but anyone can join. If you don’t meet the qualification requirements, you can opt to join the American Consumer Council (ACC).

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Check out CNBC Select’s best low-interest credit cards.

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card is a top-tier credit union credit card that earns generous returns on common everyday purchases.

Rewards

  • 5X points on gas purchases at the pump and electrical vehicle charging stations
  • 3X points on supermarket purchases (including most Target and Walmart locations)
  • 3X points at restaurants
  • 3X points on TV, radio, cable and streaming services
  • 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 15,000 points when you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

This card has no annual fee, and you can also take advantage of an intro-APR offer after opening an account. You’ll receive an intro 0% APR on balance transfers made in the first 90 days of account opening for 12 months. After that, the APR is a non-variable rate of 17.99%. There is a 3% balance transfer fee.

This card also comes with cell phone protection, travel accident coverage, no foreign transaction fees and access to Visa Signature Concierge services.

PenFed is a credit union, so membership is required to open the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card. Anyone can join by completing a few extra steps: You need to apply, open a savings account with a $5 deposit and maintain a $5 account balance.

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Check out CNBC Select’s best credit cards for gas.

Pros and cons of credit cards

Having a credit card is essential for building credit, but there are also other benefits. Credit cards typically have built-in fraud protection and offer the convenience and safety of not having to carry lots of cash around. On top of that, you earn rewards for your spending.

The flip side of credit cards is that it can be easy to overspend and if you carry a balance, the interest rates are often exceptionally high. Most credit cards also have fees, like annual fees, late payment fees and foreign transaction fees.

Pros of credit cards

  • Paying with a credit card is more convenient than carrying around cash, especially when you’re traveling
  • Many credit cards offer a return on your spending, including rewards such as cash back or travel miles or points
  • Credit cards typically have fraud protections, so you won’t be on the hook if someone steals your information, and you may also be covered by other purchase protections and travel coverages

Cons of credit cards

  • With a credit card, you can spend more than you can afford to pay back, which isn’t an option for debit cards or cash
  • If you’re carrying a balance on your credit card, you could be paying an exceptionally high APR compared to other types of consumer debt
  • Most credit cards have fees that can add up, some of which are unavoidable such as annual fees

Things to consider before choosing a credit card

Having a credit card is an important piece of your financial profile, but with so many options available, it can be hard to find the best one for your needs. Here are some common questions to ask yourself to decide what the best credit card is for you.

Do you want to earn rewards?

There are hundreds of rewards credit cards out there, where you can earn cash back, points or miles on every purchase you make.

And if you want to earn rewards, what specific categories are most important to you?

Rewards credit cards come in all shapes and sizes. If you want to maximize rewards in specific categories, check out cards offering bonus rewards on gas, groceries, restaurants, entertainment, travel and more. Or keep it simple and opt for a flat-rate cash-back card.

Learn more: Are credit card points taxable? Here’s when you may have to pay taxes on your rewards

Are you looking to get out of debt?

If you’re carrying a balance on a high-interest credit card, consider transferring it to a balance transfer credit card offering no interest for up to 21 months. There are even cards with no balance transfer fees.

Do you want to build credit?

Experts agree the sooner you build credit, the better. Credit cards are a great way to do that. Check out secured cards for credit newbies or other cards for building or rebuilding credit.

Do you travel abroad?

A credit card with no foreign transaction fees is essential to save you the typical 3% fee per purchase made outside the U.S. Also, it can be a good idea to consider cards that waive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.

What credit score do I need to get the best cards?

When you apply for a credit card, the bank or lender will review your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus. It will also typically check your FICO credit score, the top credit cards usually require a very good or excellent credit score.

This is how FICO credit scores are classified according to myFICO:

  • Poor/bad credit: Less than 580
  • Fair credit: 580-669
  • Good credit: 670-739
  • Very good credit: 740-799
  • Exceptional/excellent credit: 800 or higher

Building and maintaining a healthy credit score helps your personal finances in all sorts of ways outside of increasing your chances of getting approved for a great sign-up bonus. Your FICO score is calculated based on the following factors and each is weighted differently:

  • Payment history: 35%
  • Total debt: 30%
  • Length of credit history: 15%
  • New credit: 10%
  • Credit mix: 10%

FAQs

How many credit cards should I have?

Many people have multiple credit cards, and there are benefits to this. It can help increase your credit score by giving you more available credit and therefore a better credit utilization ratio.

At its most basic, having access to more credit can help you finance more purchases if you don’t have enough cash to cover everything up front.

You can also earn more rewards by optimizing which card you use for certain spending categories. For instance, you may make all your dining purchases with a card that earns bonus rewards in that category, but another card with a bonus multiplier for grocery purchases.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how many credit cards you need. Make sure to evaluate your spending habits and research what card would be best for you.

What do I need to apply for a credit card?

Applying for a credit card is easy, and you’ll often get an instant decision on whether you’re approved or denied. To apply for a credit card, you’ll generally need to provide the following:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
  • Mailing address
  • Email address and/or phone number
  • Annual income
  • Housing costs

How old do I have to be to get a credit card?

What is the easiest credit card to get?

Secured credit cards are generally the easiest credit cards to be approved for. They are similar to traditional cards (they extend credit, can incur interest charges and in some cases can even earn rewards) but require you to put down a security deposit to access a line of credit. The amount you deposit usually becomes your credit limit.

Which type of card is most accepted?

There are four major credit card issuers: American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card networks globally. That said, American Express and Discover still have 99% acceptance rates among U.S. merchants who take credit cards and are increasing their international footprints.

What is a credit card’s billing cycle?

When it comes to credit cards, most billing cycles are one month or 28 to 31 days. After your billing cycle ends, you typically have what is known as a grace period where you can pay off your full balance without incurring any interest charges. However, if you pay off your card balance before the billing cycle ends, it will help to keep your credit utilization down, which boosts your credit score.

Keep in mind that the grace period may not apply to all charges. Balance transfers and cash advances are usually charged interest starting on the transaction date.

Do I need a business credit card?

Having a separate credit card for your small business or side hustle is important so you can keep your personal and business activities separate. Business credit cards come in all shapes and sizes, there are business cards that offer cash-back rewards, travel rewards and everything in between.

The right business credit card for you should offer bonus rewards that align with your business spending. To keep it simple, you can start your business credit card search at the bank where you currently have your business bank accounts. If you bank with Wells Fargo, Bank of America or Chase, then it may be easiest to have all of your accounts with one institution.

Many of the banks that offer the best consumer cards also have top-notch business cards. For example, Chase has the Ink Business line of small business cards, which includes the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. Both cards have no annual fee, hefty sign-up bonuses and generous bonus spending categories.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our methodology

To determine to the top cards, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back). 
 
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back. 

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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Cash Back, click here.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Petal 2 Visa Credit Card issued by WebBank.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.





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