Choosing the best credit card depends on your financial goals, spending habits, and creditworthiness. Here’s a breakdown of some top categories of credit cards and what they offer:
1. Best Cash Back Credit Card
– Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee. It also includes a generous signup bonus and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.
2. Best Travel Rewards Credit Card
– Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earns 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, 1X point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 rate, providing flexibility in redeeming travel rewards.
3. Best Balance Transfer Credit Card
– Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Offers an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months from the date of the first transfer (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening). It also has no annual fee.
4. Best Rewards Credit Card
– American Express® Gold Card: Earns 4X points at restaurants worldwide, 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1X on other purchases. It comes with valuable benefits like $120 dining credit annually and no foreign transaction fees.
5. Best Credit Card for Building Credit
– Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Designed for those looking to build or rebuild credit. Requires a refundable security deposit and offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% on all other purchases. Discover matches all cash back earned at the end of your first year.
6. Best Premium Travel Credit Card
– Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Offers 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. Earn 3X points on dining at restaurants and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. It includes a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass™ Select membership for access to airport lounges, and more.
7. Best Business Credit Card
– Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% on all other purchases.
