Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
There's no one-size-fits-all credit card that works for every consumer. As such, CNBC Select reviewed a variety of cards across categories, assessing rewards, fees, bonuses, benefits and more, and chose the top credit cards for each need. For more on how we made our selections, read our methodology.
Best credit cards of June 2026
- Best for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for airport lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®
- Best for 0% APR: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best welcome bonus: Capital One Venture Business
- Best beginner travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for grocery rewards: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- Best for premium perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for balance transfers: Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns valuable rewards (2X miles on every purchase) and features a handful of useful travel benefits.
Standout benefits: In addition to earning valuable Capital One miles, you'll receive a credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application every four years, up to $120. Keep in mind that if you're approved for Global Entry, you'll also receive the expedited security benefits of TSA PreCheck.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 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
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
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
None
Best for airport lounge access
Who's this for? The American Express Platinum Card® is a top luxury credit card, offering access to more airport lounges than comparable cards and over $3,000 in additional annual benefits.
Standout benefits: With the Amex Platinum Card, you'll have unlimited visits to these airport lounges when you enroll in Priority Pass:
- American Express Centurion lounges
- Delta Sky Club lounges (limited to 10 visits per year)
- Escape Lounges
- Priority Pass™ Select lounges
- Plaza Premium lounges
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for purchases and balance transfers
Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is great if you're seeking a highly generous intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening, followed by a 17.49%, 23.99% or 28.24% variable APR. (Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the introductory rate.)
Standout rewards: The Wells Fargo Reflect also offers cell phone protection of up to $600 against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) and access to My Wells Fargo Deals, a personalized rewards platform.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card can help you save on interest charges thanks to its extra generous intro-APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Best-in-class intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone insurance: up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- High balance transfer fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Balance transfer fee
5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Best welcome bonus
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Business has a massive limited-time welcome offer worth up to 150,000 bonus miles. You'll earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $7,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening and an additional 75,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 in the first six months from account opening.
Standout benefits: Every year, you can earn an annual $50 travel credit for Capital One Business Travel bookings and up to $50 in annual statement credits for qualifying advertising or software purchases. You'll also have access to up to $120 in credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years.
The Capital Venture Business has a simple and lucrative rewards program because you earn at least 2X miles on every purchase and you can transfer those miles to travel partners.
- Earns flexible travel rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Choice Privileges and Emirates Skywards
- Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Up to $100 in annual credits
- Has an annual fee
- High spending requirement to earn the full welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app
Best beginner travel card
Who's this for? If you want a travel card with simplicity and flexibility, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Standout benefits: 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 spend $10,000 in purchases on your card, you'll receive 1,000 bonus points.)
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
"The Chase Sapphire Preferred is great for me because it pairs well with my Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) cards. I can get greater value from my Freedom cards thanks to their ability to pool rewards with higher-tier Chase cards and transfer to travel partners. Plus, I love the Sapphire Preferred's 3X points on online groceries (I use Instacart) and $50 Chase Travel hotel credit."
- Ryley Amond, credit cards reporter, CNBC Select
Best for dining
Who's this for? You should consider the American Express® Gold Card if food is a major expense for you (both eating in and dining out) and you enjoy traveling.
Standout benefits: The Amex Gold Card earns rewards at restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and select flights and hotels. On top of that, you can receive over $400 in statement credits every year related to dining, hotels, restaurant reservations and rideshare services.
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Larger annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
3.10% APY as of 5/19/2026
Min balance to open = $0
1.00% APY as of 06/24/2024
Min balance to open = $0
Best for grocery rewards
Who's this for? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the top rewards credit cards for groceries, earning 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%.
Standout benefits: The Blue Cash Preferred has a valuable statement credit benefit you can take advantage of. Receive up to $120 in Disney bundle credit, doled out in $10 back a month after using your card to purchase an eligible subscription (subject to auto-renewal, enrollment required; valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com in the U.S.).
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 travel rewards
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 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer a combination of value and simplicity. With it, you can transfer your points to over a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners. It also has incredible travel insurance and shopping protection perks, including trip delay reimbursement, return protection and primary rental car insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High 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 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for premium perks
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, 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.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
- Annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles after every card anniversary
- Unlimited complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations
- Long list of valuable travel and shopping protections, including return protection, rental car coverage and trip delay reimbursement (Benefit(s) only available to accounts approved for the Visa Infinite card. Terms apply.)
- Limited bonus spending categories compared to other premium credit cards
- High annual fee
- High credit score requirement (excellent credit)
Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
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
$0
Best for entertainment
Who's this for? Sports fans, movie buffs and adventure seekers all have a reason to like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card thanks to its generous 3% cash back rates on groceries, dining, entertainment and streaming services.
Standout benefits: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card earns 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and features an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- One of the most rewarding cash back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
Best for no annual fee
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option if you want to start saving on purchases right away. 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: The Double Cash is also a good choice for debt consolidation, as you'll receive a valuable intro APR offer on balance transfers. Plus, it earns cash back in the form of ThankYou® Points, which unlocks additional redemption options, including point transfers to all Citi travel partners.
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance tranfer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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.
- 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, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- 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).
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. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Best for balance transfers
Who's this for? If you want to save on credit card interest, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR for up to 18 months on balance transfers (17.49% to 28.24% variable APR thereafter).
Standout benefits: Outside of its generous offer on balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity Card also features an intro APR on purchases and doesn't charge any late fees, annual fees or penalty rates. Its intro balance transfer fee also adds to its appeal: There's an intro fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater) for balance transfers completed within four months of account opening. After that, the fee is $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater.
The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers.
- One of the longest intro APR offers for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
How credit cards work
Credit cards are financial products that are similar to unsecured loans (except for secured credit cards). You're approved based on your credit history, income and other factors. Once approved, you can make purchases with your new credit card.
As long as you pay off your full credit card balance by your statement due date, you won't pay interest. However, with credit cards, you are only required to make a minimum payment each month to avoid late payment fees or penalty APRs (charge cards work differently and typically must be paid off each month).
If you pay less than your entire balance, you'll pay interest on the charges you carry over from month to month. In addition to interest charges, credit cards can have other fees, such as annual fees, foreign transaction fees and fees for late or returned payments.
Different types of credit cards
There are different classes of credit cards designed for various types of people. Some cards are easier to qualify for and can be good options if you have poor credit or no credit. Other cards can only be used for purchases with a specific merchant.
Rewards credit cards
Rewards credit cards are some of the most popular cards. These cards earn points, miles or cash back and usually offer the best benefits and perks. Most co-branded credit cards are also rewards credit cards, including airline credit cards and hotel credit cards.
Secured credit cards
If you don't have the credit score needed to get approved for the most lucrative cards, a secured credit card is a good starting point. You typically don't need a credit score, and you can qualify with poor credit because secured credit cards require an upfront deposit. Your credit limit is based on the size of your security deposit. Some secured cards also offer a path to upgrade to an unsecured credit card and have your deposit refunded.
Charge cards
Charge cards are a type of credit card that doesn't have a predetermined spending limit. Instead, you must pay off the balance of a charge card in full each month. If you miss a payment, you could be stuck paying a hefty fee. Charge cards may earn rewards, just like credit cards.
Store cards
Store cards are a type of co-branded card that can only be used at that specific store, such as Best Buy, Home Depot or Target. These cards can offer benefits such as discounts, extended returns or deferred interest financing. Since you cannot use these cards for everyday purchases, they typically only make sense as supplementary cards.
How to choose a credit card
With so many options available, it can be hard to find the best credit card for your needs. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you decide which card is best for you.
How much will you earn in rewards?
There are hundreds of rewards credit cards that let you earn cash back, points, or miles on every purchase. Many earn additional rewards in specific categories, while others provide an elevated return across the board.
Common bonus spending categories include gas, groceries, restaurants, and travel. Other cards are simple and earn flat-rate rewards. To get an idea of how your rewards vary depending on the card, let's take a look at what you could earn with the Citi Double Cash® Card compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you pay and 1% when you buy). The cash back you receive is earned as Citi ThankYou® Points (1 cent = 1 point).
The Sapphire Preferred earns 5X points on Chase TravelSM travel bookings, 3X points on dining, 3X points on select streaming services, 3X points on online grocery shopping, 2X points on other travel purchases and 1X points everywhere else. It also comes with a 10% points bonus every card anniversary, and you'll earn 1 bonus point for every dollar you spend on your Sapphire Preferred card that year.
Here's what you'd earn with each card based on an example budget of $2,800 a month, broken down as follows:
Citi Double Cash Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards Comparison
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| $500 on in-store groceries | 1,000 points | 500 points |
| $350 on dining | 700 points | 1,050 points |
| $200 for travel (not booked through Chase Travel) | 400 points | 400 points |
| $40 on streaming services | 80 points | 120 points |
| $1,710 on other purchases | 3,420 points | 1,710 points |
| Total sum | 5,600 points | 3,780 points |
If you did all of your grocery shopping online (1,000 additional points) and factored in the Sapphire Preferred's annual 10% points bonus (280 points per month awarded on your account anniversary), the Sapphire Preferred would still earn less than the Double Cash.
However, just because it earns fewer points in this scenario doesn't mean the Sapphire Preferred is less valuable. Credit card rewards have different usefulness and value that need to be considered.
What rewards are most valuable to you?
Cash back rewards are straightforward and easy to value. They are a good option if you don't travel often and would rather use your credit card rewards to pay other bills.
Flexible travel rewards are more complicated, but with a little legwork, they can get you much more than what you'd receive from redeeming cash back. Travel rewards that allow you to transfer to hotel and airline loyalty programs are especially lucrative. However, each program has its own set of partners, and sometimes the transfer ratios differ.
The Sapphire Preferred has 14 transfer partners, and you can move points to those programs at a 1:1 ratio. From the above example, each month you're earning an average of 3,780 transferable points.
With the Citi Double Cash, you can transfer points to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners. However, the transfer rates for this card are reduced by 30%. Taking the numbers from our previous example, the points you earn would only be worth 3,920 airline miles (for most Citi partners).
This makes it important to understand the rules of each card and rewards program because not all points should be valued the same.
Are you trying 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?
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?
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%
How to apply for a credit card
While specific restrictions may apply depending on the card and its issuer, applying for a credit card is easy. You'll often get an instant decision on whether you're approved or denied, and sometimes you can get instant access to your credit card.
To apply for a credit card, you'll usually need to be 18 years old and provide the following:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Mailing address
- Email address and/or phone number
- Annual income
- Housing costs
If you're applying for a business card, the process is similar, but you'll need to provide additional information, including the business name, address, tax ID and income.
Credit card pros and cons
- Convenient payments: Paying with a credit card is more convenient than carrying around cash, especially when you're traveling
- Earn rewards: Many credit cards offer a return on your spending, including rewards such as cash back or travel miles or points
- Additional protections: 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
- Easy to get into debt: 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
- High interest rates: 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
- Additional fees: Most credit cards have fees that can add up, some of which are unavoidable, such as annual fees
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.
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 which card would be best for you.
How old do I have to be to get a credit card?
The minimum age to open a credit card on your own is 18. However, it is possible to get a credit card as a minor by being added as an authorized user on someone else's account.
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 payment networks: 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 that accept credit cards and are expanding their global footprints, too.
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 a grace period to pay off your full balance without incurring any interest. 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, it may be easiest to have all your accounts with one institution.
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 article 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.
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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).
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Read more
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 American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
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.
