If you're considering adding another credit card to your wallet this year, you're not alone.
Among those seeking increased access to credit in 2026, 55% plan to open a new credit card, according to a November 2025 TransUnion Consumer Pulse study of 3,000 U.S. adults. While opening a new card is a quick way to get access to more credit, doing so irresponsibly could ruin your credit score — and you might not even get approved.
You have two main options if you're looking to access more credit in 2026: Increase your credit limit on an existing card or apply for an entirely new credit card. CNBC Select discusses what you should know about each approach and which cards to consider if you decide to apply.
How to access more credit in 2026
According to the same TransUnion Pulse study, 20% of those seeking additional credit plan to increase their available credit limit on existing cards. While this is less popular than opening a new credit card (55% plan to do so), credit limit increases can be easier to obtain. Many issuers will automatically review your account and payment history and approve you for a credit limit increase, but you can just as easily call your issuer and request one.
There's a chance, though, you'll receive a less substantial increase compared to what you can get with a new card. If you're only looking for an extra $3,000, a credit limit increase will suffice — but if you're looking for $20,000 more in credit, a new card is likely a better fit.
It's worth noting that neither requesting a credit limit increase nor applying for a new card is guaranteed; both decisions are at the issuer's discretion and are heavily dependent on your credit score and spending habits. If you're working to build your credit score, applying for multiple cards isn't a good idea; you'll likely want to focus on keeping your current credit utilization low and making on-time payments. But if your score is up to snuff, you recently changed your spending habits and your current card isn't earning you the best rewards, that could be a reason to explore new options.
What 2026 could mean for credit approvals
Although credit card balances aren't growing as quickly as they have in recent years (outside of the pandemic), the TransUnion 2026 Consumer Credit Forecast, released December 2025, still predicts balances to rise to $1.18 trillion in 2026.
In addition to relatively moderate growth in credit card balances, delinquencies are also expected to rise ever-so-slightly from 2.56% to 2.57%. This small increase in delinquencies could suggest issuers will be slightly more careful with lending. However, some expect the Federal Reserve to ease rates in 2026, which could make financial institutions more lenient with credit approvals.
With these lending trends in mind, it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of applying for new credit.
What to know before opening a new credit card
Opening a new credit card can be a quick way to access more credit and, depending on the card, unlock benefits ranging from simple cash back to airport lounge access.
But that doesn't make it the best option for every consumer. If you're already on a tight budget, opening a new card for extra credit can tempt you into overspending and increase the risk of debt and late payments.
- Access to more credit: Getting approved for a credit card is one of the quickest ways to access a new line of credit.
- Greater opportunity for rewards and benefits: Many credit cards offer elevated rewards on certain purchases, as well as perks ranging from statement credits to airport lounge access.
- Sign-up bonuses: Credit card welcome bonuses offer some of the best return on investment when it comes to earning credit card rewards.
- Consumer protections: From travel insurance to purchase protections, credit cards can protect you from scams and unwanted transactions.
- Temporarily lowers credit score: When you apply for a new credit card, the issuer will likely perform a hard inquiry, which can cause a small dip in your credit score.
- Greater risk of overspending: With access to more credit, you'll have to exercise more self-control and spend within your limits to avoid debt and late payments.
- Higher APR than other options: Credit cards typically have much higher APRs compared to personal loans or HELOCs.
Top credit card options for 2026
Here are a few of the best credit cards to consider in 2026, whether you're looking for flat-rate cash back, transferable travel points or heightened rewards on everyday spending categories.
If you want to keep it simple...
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great catch-all cash back credit card if you don't want to worry about rewards categories. The card earns a flat 2% back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. This means that no matter where or what you're spending on, you're still earning a minimum of 2% back on each purchase.
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%
If you plan to travel more...
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a low-cost entry to Chase's travel credit card lineup. With a $95 annual fee, the card earns Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to 13 hotel and airline transfer partners. It also comes with a number of travel protections, a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase TravelSM and a 10% points boost each account anniversary year.
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
If you're a homebody...
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great option if you're looking to cook more at home. It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in yearly purchases (then 1%), plus cash back rewards on gas, transit and select streaming subscriptions. There's also a $120 Disney Streaming Credit, applied as $10 monthly statement credits. Simply use 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.)
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
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
