Credit Cards
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card for you.
HERE ARE THE BEST CREDIT CARDS:
- Initial Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Cash Back: Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- Balance Transfers: Chase Slate®
- Students: Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One®
- Rebuilding Credit: Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee
- 0% Purchases: HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card
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- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
- New! Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels when you pay with your Venture card at hotels.com/venture; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
Rates & Fees | Terms Apply
- $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, 1% back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
- Terms Apply.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 14.49% to 25.49%.
- Over 1.5 million more places in the U.S. started accepting American Express® Cards in 2017.
- No annual fee.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and pay no annual fee
- New! Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels when you pay with your VentureOne card at hotels.com/venture; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Enjoy a low intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 13.49%-23.49% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fees
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 16.65%-26.49% variable APR; balance transfer fees apply
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card
- Free access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
- Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions
- Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map
- $0 Annual Fee
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
- See More Details & Reviews About TheWells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. based customer service.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.
- No annual fee.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® - 18 Month Balance Transfer Offer
- The ONLY card with No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee…EVER
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 15.49% - 25.49% based on your creditworthiness*
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- The same great rate for all balances, after the introductory period
- Save time when you call with fast, personal help, 24 hours a day – just say “representative”
- Enjoy the convenience of setting up your own bill payment schedule on any available due date throughout the month
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCiti Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever
- $0 Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After that, the fee for future transactions is 5% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, 16.49% - 25.24% variable APR.
- See monthly updates to your FICO® Score and the reasons behind your score for free
- No Penalty APR Paying late won't raise your interest rate (APR). All other account pricing and terms apply
- $0 Annual Fee
- See More Details & Reviews About TheChase Slate®
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
- No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase - it's automatic
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49-25.24%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
- No annual fee
- See More Details & Reviews About TheChase Freedom Unlimited®
Editor’s Best Credit Cards
WalletHub’s editors compare 1,000+ credit cards on a weekly basis to find the best deals in the most popular categories. You can find their current favorites listed below.Just remember: It’s not finding the absolute best credit card that matters, but rather choosing the best credit card for your particular needs. And that starts with selecting an offer you can get approved for. So make sure to check your latest credit score, too.
Here are 2018’s best credit cards
| Best Credit Card For... | Card Name | Annual Fee | Minimum Credit |
| Initial Bonus | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $0 Intro for the First Year, $95 after | Excellent |
| Cash Back | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | $0* | Good |
| Balance Transfers | Chase Slate® | $0 | Good |
| Students | Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® | None | Limited History |
| Rebuilding Credit | Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee | None | Bad |
| Big-Ticket Purchases | HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card | None | Good |
Finding the right credit card for your needs can be difficult, even with more than 1,000 offers distilled into the short list above. With that in mind, we’ve put together some credit card comparison tips that should always help lead you to the proper plastic.
6 Credit Card Comparison Tips
- Check Your Credit Score. Knowing exactly where you stand will enable you to focus your credit card comparison efforts on a particular tier of offers. This makes the process more manageable and minimizes your risk of getting rejected.
- Figure Out Whether Interest Is an Issue. The basic rule of thumb is that you should focus on rewards if you always pay your bill in full and 0% intro rates if you don’t. Trying to earn rewards while carrying a balance on the same card isn’t wise, as interest will eat away at what you earn.
That’s why we recommend using the Island Approach to satisfy multiple needs. For example, using a rewards card for everyday expenses that you can pay for in full by the end of the month and a 0% balance transfer card to reduce the cost of existing debt.
- Decide Which Features Are Most Important. There is no such thing as a perfect credit card. In other words, you won’t find a single offer with the best rewards, the lowest interest rates and the cheapest fees. That means you’ll have to choose. So make a list of the features you want most. Then compare cards based on that list. This will help you avoid getting distracted by flashy features you might never even use.
- Make Sure You Have the Latest Terms. Credit card offers change on a regular basis. So it’s important to confirm that you have the correct fees, APRs, rewards rates, etc., when you do your credit card comparison.
- Don’t Apply For Multiple Cards at Once. Numerous credit card applications within a short period of time can lead to credit score damage. So this strategy is likely to work against you, rather than ensuring approval for at least one card.
Instead, apply for a card that’s suitable for your credit standing. And if you don’t get approved, adjust your sights a bit lower. If you have limited or bad credit, you may just want to place a deposit on a secured credit card at this point.
- Be Realistic. Don’t apply for an offer you have little chance of getting given your credit standing. Don’t apply for a travel rewards card if you haven’t taken a trip in years. And don’t put too much stock in rewards bonuses if you’re unlikely to satisfy their requirements (e.g. spending a certain amount within the first few months of account opening or signing up for bonus earning rates each quarter).
These are just a few examples of how being realistic now can wind up saving you big time later.
You can easily monitor your progress by signing up for a free WalletHub account. This will give you free credit scores and reports, updated daily, as well as 24/7 credit monitoring and personalized money-saving advice.
Questions & Answers
Comparing Credit Cards can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered....show moreshow less
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How do you choose a credit card? Reply
Finding the right credit card can be stressful, with so many offers to consider and so much jargon and fine print to decipher. But as long as you follow these simple pointers, you’ll be fine.
- Compare credit cards before applying. Otherwise, there’s no way of telling whether you’re getting the best deal. Marketing can be deceiving, after all.
- Make sure your credit is match. You should only consider applying for a credit card if it matches your credit standing. For example, don’t apply for an excellent-credit credit card if you have fair credit. Getting turned down will only make it harder to get approved the second time around.
- Don’t apply in bulk. You should not submit more than a couple credit card applications within a short period of time, as this can lead to a roughly six-month dip in your credit score.
For more tips, check out WalletHub’s guide on finding the right type of credit card for your needs. And for your convenience, here are some benchmarks to consider as you wade your way through the credit card comparison process:
Market Snapshot: 1,000+ Credit Card Offers
|
Category |
Average |
|
Annual Fee |
$16.17 |
|
Initial Bonus |
$108.84 |
|
Rewards Rate |
1.03% |
|
APR |
18.36% |
You can learn more about the average terms offered by credit cards in popular categories from WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Landscape Report.
Why do I need a credit card? Reply
We believe most people should have a credit card. It’s simply the easiest way to add positive information to your major credit reports on an ongoing basis. That, in turn, will help you build credit history and improve your credit standing. And credit improvement can save you a ton of money on loans and lines of credit as well as open doors to opportunities such as a new job or apartment.
Actually using your credit card to make purchases is another story, though. Whether that’s a good idea depends on if doing so will cause you to spend more than you would otherwise.
If it won’t lead to bad habits, you’ll be able to take advantage of a credit card’s many other benefits. They range from the ability to earn rewards on everyday spending or pay for big-ticket purchases over time to assorted travel perks and the convenience of shopping online.
And if a credit card would lead to overspending, you can still benefit from its credit-building capabilities. As long as you make sure to pay any fees that are assessed, you can simply lock your card in a drawer and watch positive information flow into your credit report on a monthly basis. After all, your credit utilization will be zero and you’ll be classified as having paid on time.
What type of credit card should I get? Reply
Credit cards are not one size fits all. Not only does your credit standing dictate what offers you’ll be able to get approved for, but different people require different terms and features from their credit cards, depending on their spending and payment habits. Below, you will find some general guidelines that will help steer you toward the best credit card for your particular needs.
- If you have trouble garnering credit card approval or have bad credit history, your best bet is a secured credit card.
- If you are a student, you should obviously get a student credit card.
- If you need some extra time to pay off a big-ticket purchase, ignore rewards and get the best possible 0% APR credit card.
- If you have existing credit card debt, a balance transfer credit card will help you save money and repay what you owe faster.
- If you pay your bill in full every month, focus your credit card comparison efforts on finding the best rewards card for your lifestyle.
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If you’re a small business owner, use a personal credit card for company purchases that you won’t be able to pay off in full by the end of the month. This will help protect you from surprise changes to your interest rate. And small business owners are held equally liable no matter what type of card they use, according to a WalletHub study.
You should also use a business rewards credit card for everyday company expenses. This will give you access to enhanced expense tracking features and centralized rewards for all account users.
Unfortunately, if you’re already in financial trouble (e.g. late on payments, in collections, etc.), getting access to credit could be difficult. That’s problematic because using credit responsibly is the best way to rebound from such mistakes. So if you can’t get approved for a secured card, you might want to explore these other debt solutions to figure out what your next step should be.
Why does my credit standing matter to my credit card search? Reply
Your credit standing indicates what type of credit card you can get approved for. For example, someone with bad credit will not be able to qualify for a credit card that requires excellent credit. So checking your latest credit score before getting too deep into the credit card comparison process will save you time as well as help reduce your odds of rejection.
Your credit history also affects much more than just your credit score search. It also impacts your car insurance premiums, the security deposit you’ll have to place in renting an apartment, and even your ability to get certain types of jobs. You can learn more about how credit scores work and what they’re used for by reading WalletHub’s credit score guide.
How do you apply for a credit card? Reply
Depending on the credit card company, you may have up to four options for submitting a credit card application:
- Through the mail
- Online
- Over the phone
- At a branch location
Most people are accustomed to applying for big-bank credit cards through the mail, and online credit card applications are becoming increasingly popular. But the truth is that how you apply for a credit card is just a matter of personal preference. Making an educated decision about which card to apply for is far more important. And that’s why we recommend using WalletHub.
At WalletHub, comparing hundreds of credit cards is as simple as a few clicks of your mouse. Trying to replicate that by spreading paper credit cards applications across your kitchen table, for example, just won’t produce the same results. Plus, for those of you concerned about sharing personal financial information over the internet, every online credit card application is encrypted using SSL technology. You can read more about WalletHub’s data protection practices here.
Featured Credit Cards
Credit cards offer plenty of perks, from rewards on every purchase to 0% APRs. But credit cards can also get us into trouble if we aren’t careful. Reducing debt and adopting sustainable spending habits are particularly important, so WalletHub decided to see how consumers are approaching those tasks.
We performed a nationally representative survey online from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. You can find the complete results in the infographic below, along with some key takeaways from WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Debt Study.
We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
† Approval Odds are WalletHub estimates intended to gauge your likelihood of approval for a particular product. Approval Odds are based on WalletHub data and are not provided or endorsed by the lender. Approval Odds are not meant to imply or guarantee that you will be approved by the lender or that credit will be extended.
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any issuer.
