Travel credit cards
These cards are best suited to people who travel at least a few times per year. Many of these cards charge annual fees, so you want to make sure you’re earning enough in rewards to at least make up for what you’re paying to own it.
With travel cards, you can redeem your points or miles for free or discounted travel. There are also quite a few top travel credit cards that offer extra perks, such as free access to airport lounges, hotel upgrades, and travel insurance. The best airline credit cards, hotel credit cards, and general travel credit cards would all fall under this category.
The best credit cards for travel are:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 3 points per $1 on dining, 2 points to 5 points per $1 on travel
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 10 miles per $1 on Capital One Travel hotels and car rentals, 5 miles per $1 on Capital One Travel flight bookings, 2 miles per $1 on other purchases.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent’s best travel rewards credit cards
Rewards credit cards
This category includes every credit card that earns purchase rewards. With so many to choose from, you’ll find a diverse mix of the best credit cards for rewards that earn cash back, travel points, and store rewards.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent’s best rewards credit cards
Cash back credit cards
Cash back cards are best for those who want a versatile card you can use for everyday spending. If you want a card with bonus categories, look for one that aligns well with your spending habits.
With the best cash back credit card, you earn rewards that can be redeemed as cash. Depending on the card, you may be able to redeem your cash back as a statement credit towards your credit card balance, a deposit to a bank account, or as a check. You’ll find cards that earn the same flat rate on purchases as well as cards that earn extra in bonus categories among the best cash back cards.
- Discover it® Cash Back: 5% back in rotating quarterly bonus categories you activate up to $1,500 quarterly spending cap, 1% back on other purchases.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 annual spending cap and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (making it one of the best credit cards for gas) and on transit, 1% back on other eligible purchases. Terms apply.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and on drug store purchases, 1.5% cash back on other purchases.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases ($100 per quarter) on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, 1% cash back on other purchases.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Unlimited, no-hassle 2% cash rewards.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, 1% cash back on other purchases.
Compare credit cards: Check out The Ascent’s best cash back credit cards
Balance transfer credit cards
These credit cards are best suited for those who are trying to pay off credit card debt. Ideally, you can find one with an introductory APR that’s long enough to enable you to pay off your full balance. But you should note that you can’t transfer a balance to a new card with the same issuer. And any balance transfer card will charge you a one-time fee for making the transfer.
Many of the best balance transfer credit cards have a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and intro periods can last for well over a year. If you want to refinance credit card debt and save money on interest, a balance transfer card is ideal.
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: 18-billing-cycle 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases.
- Discover it® Balance Transfer: 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers. The go-to variable rate applies after the 0% intro APR expires.
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers.
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: A leading 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent’s best balance transfer credit cards
Best credit cards for beginners
The best credit card to have for beginners accept applicants with no credit history, don’t charge unnecessary fees, and have educational features to help you improve your credit, such as free credit score monitoring. For those who are enrolled at college or university, student credit cards are a great first step into the world of credit.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent’s best credit cards for building credit
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