Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If you feel like you're struggling financially right now, you're not alone. According to a CNBC and SurveyMonkey Quarterly Money Survey released in April, less than half (40%) of Americans have enough in their checking or savings account to cover a $1,000 emergency expense.
You can't always plan for an emergency, so it helps to know which financial tools are available when funds are tight. CNBC Select goes over some of the best credit cards for emergencies, whether you need immediate access to credit or help paying off a large, unexpected purchase over time.
Best credit cards for emergencies
- Best for instant access to credit: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for paying off a purchase over time: U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card
- Best for consolidating debt: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Best for travel and purchase protections: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for lower credit scores: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Best for quick access to cash: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Best for instant access to credit
Who’s this for? If you're looking for instant access to a new line of credit, look toward the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. If approved, you'll receive a digital card number so you can start spending instantly while still earning rewards on everyday purchases.
Other great perks: The Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 annual fee for the first year, so you won't have to pay the $95 annual fee until at least the second year. Plus, the card earns 6% cash back on groceries from U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and 3% back at U.S. gas stations with no cap. While the Reward Dollars you earn aren't as flexible as other cash back currencies, you can redeem them for statement credits or purchases at Amazon.com.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases 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 and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Best for paying off a purchase over time
Who’s this for? If you have a large, upcoming expense and are nervous about paying it off (or suffering from high interest rates), look into the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card. This card offers one of the longest 0% intro APRs on the market (21 months on purchases), after which a 16.99% to 27.99% variable APR applies. A 21-month payoff window could be useful in a variety of scenarios, whether you have a sudden medical bill or unavoidable car maintenance needs.
Other great perks: The main draw of the U.S. Bank Shield is its intro APR offer, but it does offer a handful of additional benefits. You can earn 4% cash back on prepaid airlines, hotels and cars booked via the U.S. Bank Travel Center and enjoy cellphone protection of up to $600 if you pay your bill with the Shield card.
- Best-in-class intro-APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Annual statement credit
- Cell phone protection
- Rewards limited to eligible travel purchases made through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center
- No welcome bonus
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- No intro balance transfer fee
Best for consolidating debt
Who’s this for? If you've already made a big purchase and are paying the price in interest each month, consider the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of account opening (after which a variable APR of 16.49% to 27.24% applies). While there is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater), if you have a larger amount of debt, you could still save hundreds, if not thousands, in interest.
Other great perks: Similar to other credit cards that offer intro APR periods, the Diamond Preferred doesn't offer too many additional benefits. You can choose a flexible payment due date at the beginning, middle or end of the month and enjoy free access to your FICO Score.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is one of the best balance transfer credit cards and also has a generous intro APR offer.
- One of the longest intro-APR offers for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.49% - 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- 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).
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don't come with a yearly charge.
- Buy now and pay later. Split your payment for eligible purchases of $75 or more into a fixed payment with Citi® Flex Pay.
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
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
3%
Best for travel and purchase protections
Who’s this for? If you're planning a trip and want to prepare for potential travel emergencies, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a great fit. The card offers comprehensive travel insurance protections for a $95 annual fee, including: trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance and primary rental car collision coverage in 49 states (with the exception of New York). Just make sure to book travel with the card in order to receive coverage.
Other great perks: The Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to select airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. The card also comes with an annual $50 hotel credit when booking through Chase Travel and earns at least 2X points on travel-related purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for lower credit scores
Who’s this for? If you're looking for a credit card for emergencies but don't have the strongest credit score, consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card. It's available to those with limited-to-fair credit, has a $0 annual fee and may provide higher spending power than a secured credit card. While your initial credit limit is determined by your application, you'll automatically be considered for a credit line increase in as little as six months.
Other great perks: With the Capital One Platinum card, you'll know if you're approved in as little as 90 seconds with no impact to your credit score. The card can also help you raise your credit score with responsible payments, as it reports to all three major credit bureaus.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit-builder card that offers a path to upgrading to a more rewarding credit card in as little as six months.
- No annual fee
- No security deposit required
- No rewards on purchases
- No welcome offer
- High APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Best for quick access to cash
Who’s this for? A cash advance shouldn't be your first choice, but if you're in a pinch, the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card can help you get one for no additional fee. Plus, the card charges a fairly low cash advance APR of 17.99%, which is well below the national average charged by banks (28.51%). Just make sure to weigh the pros and cons before you withdraw.
Other great perks: The PenFed Platinum also earns rewards on everyday spending categories, which can help you offset common expenses. Enjoy 5X points on gas and at EV charging stations and 3X points at supermarkets, restaurants and on TV, radio, cable and streaming services. You can redeem rewards for travel, merchandise and gift cards, with the option to partially pay with points in some instances.
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
$0
Intro APR
0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 60 days after account opening.*
Regular APR
17.99% variable on purchases; 17.99% non-variable on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
3%
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
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
Cons
- 3% balance transfer fee
*0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 60 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.
FAQs
What is the best credit card to have for emergencies?
There's no clear cut "best credit card for emergencies," as it depends on the nature of your emergency. Do you need access to a line of credit quickly, or do you need help covering a large, unexpected purchase sans interest? Make sure the card you pick has benefits that match your immediate needs.
Which credit cards give you immediate use?
There are a variety of credit cards that provide instance access, including the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. Before you apply for a card, check to see if it advertises instant access or virtual card numbers, for example. You could also call the issuer and ask directly.
Is it good to have a credit card in case of emergencies?
In general, yes, as access to a line of credit can help you cover larger unexpected charges. But you have to be careful not to rack up interest payments, and be wary of relying on a credit card long-term without building up cash savings.
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card list review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards for emergencies.
Our methodology
To determine which cards would best serve in an emergency, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued by FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions.
We compared each card on a range of features, including the time it takes for you to access credit, 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).
When choosing the best credit cards for emergencies, we focused on how quickly you can get access to a card you're approved for, and cards that offer intro APR opportunities. We considered the length of time each APR period lasts for, and considered credit score restraints.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date.
