Credit Cards for Good Credit

The best credit card for a 700 credit score could be Capital One Venture if you’re eager to earn travel rewards, Citi Double Cash if you’d prefer cash back or Chase Slate if you want 0% APRs. It all depends on your individual needs, as no card does everything best. But you do want to focus on cards that require “good” credit or below, since 700 is a good credit score. Of course, there are other things that affect the application process too, like income and the number of recent inquiries on your report.

A good way to figure out whether you’re eligible for a particular credit card with your 700 credit score is to check for pre-approval on the issuer’s website. If you’re pre-approved for a card, you’re not guaranteed approval, but your odds are high – usually around 90%. You can do a pre-approval check for most of the best credit cards for a 700 credit score.

Here are the best credit cards for 700 credit scores:

• For Travel Rewards – Capital One Venture
                 
  50,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 2 miles per $1 on all purchases (10 miles per $1 at hotels.com/venture). No foreign transaction fees. $95 annual fee waived the first year.
• For Cash Rewards – Citi Double Cash
               
  1% cash back on all purchases, with another 1% cash back when you pay them off. Intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers (3% transfer fee). 3% foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee.
• For Balance Transfers – Chase Slate
             
  Intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on balance transfers. $0 balance transfer fee for transfers made in the first 60 days. No rewards. 3% foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee.
• For Big-Ticket Financing – Citi Simplicity
             
  Intro APR of 0% for 12 months on purchases and 0% for 21 months on balance transfers. 5% (min $5) balance transfer fee. No rewards. 3% foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee.
• Hotel Perks – Radisson Premier Visa Signature
                
  50,000 bonus points for making your first purchase, plus 35,000 points for spending $2,500 in the first 90 days. 10 points per $1 spent at Radisson and 5 everywhere else. 40,000 bonus points for renewing your card every year. 3% foreign transaction fee. $75 annual fee.

As you may have noticed, a lot of the best credit cards for 700 credit scores don’t have annual fees. So you can pick up some great perks without having to shell out money for the privilege of having a card.

The best credit card rate for good credit is 0%. Most 0% APR credit cards require good credit or better for approval. But 0% rates are only temporary. Once they expire, you’ll pay the regular APR. In that sense, a good credit card rate for good credit is below 20%.

That’s generally the starting point for people with credit scores from 700 to 749. Interest rates are usually listed as a range. So the higher your credit score, the better your chances of securing an interest rate at the low end of the range. Other factors such as your income and debt level also play a part in determining your interest rate.

Here are some good credit card rates for good credit:

• 0% APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers: Discover it Cash Back. Regular APR: 13.99% - 24.99% (V). 3% transfer fee. 5% cash back on purchases in categories that change quarterly and 1% on everything else. No annual fee.
• 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers: Citi Double Cash. Regular APR: 15.49% - 25.49% (V). 3% transfer fee ($5 minimum). 2% cash back on all purchases; 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. No annual fee.
• 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers: EveryDay Credit Card from American Express. Regular APR: 14.99% - 25.99% (V). $0 transfer fee for the first 60 days. 10,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. 2 points per $1 on the first $6,000 per year at supermarkets and 1 on everything else. No annual fee.
• 0% for 20 months on purchases and balance transfers: US Bank Visa Platinum Card. Regular APR: 11.99% - 23.99% (V). 3% transfer fee ($5 minimum). No rewards. No annual fee.
• 0% for 12 months on purchases and 21 on balance transfers: Citi Simplicity. Regular APR: 15.99% - 25.99% (V). 5% transfer fee ($5 minimum). No rewards. No annual fee.
• Regular APR: 14.74% - 24.74% (V): Capital One Venture Rewards. No introductory 0% APR. 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, worth $500 in travel. 2 miles per $1 on all purchases. No annual fee for first year, $95 after.

A good credit card rate for good credit can save you money if you’re paying down debt. But if you pay your credit card balance in full every month, a credit card’s interest rate will never be an issue. Maintaining a good payment history and reducing your debt-to-credit ratio will help raise your credit profile. In turn, it will improve your chances of qualifying for credit cards for excellent credit.

The tables turn when you reach good credit. Instead of you having to prove yourself to credit card companies, they must now compete for your business. For one thing, more issuers have credit cards for people with good credit than offers for folks with fair, limited or bad credit. And they’re all looking to woo trustworthy new customers who pose relatively little risk and thus have a lot of profit potential.

That’s why people with good credit can expect to earn roughly twice as much rewards value as someone with fair credit or enjoy 0% financing for about twice as long. Credit cards for people with good credit also tend to have lower regular APRs (21% on average) than those for folks with fair credit (23%).

After all, you’ll have access to many of the market’s best overall credit cards, which usually require good or excellent credit for approval.

The best credit card for a 660 credit score is the Capital One Platinum card, which has a $0 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee. After you make your first 5 payments on time, you could also get upgraded to a higher credit line ($300+ to start). Capital One Platinum does not offer rewards, but it can help you build credit for free.

If you’re set on rewards, the best credit card for a 660 credit score is Capital One QuicksilverOne. It offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is an above average earning rate. However, it does charge an annual fee of $39 .

A 660 credit score is considered fair credit, but it isn’t too far from good credit, which starts at 700. So you might have a shot at getting a credit card for people with good credit, if you have a lot of income relative to your debt or you wait a little while to improve your score before you apply. The Citi Double Cash Card is a good option because it offers 2% cash back rewards and has no annual fee. Customers report it’s possible to get with a 660 score, but it’s definitely less likely than with a score of 700.

Best credit cards for a 660 credit score:

• Capital One QuicksilverOne Credit Card: $39 annual fee. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. After, first 5 on-time payments may be eligible for a higher credit line. No foreign transaction fee.
• Amazon.com Store Card: $0 annual fee. Amazon Prime members get 5% back on all purchases. Once approved, $10 Amazon gift card uploaded to your Amazon account.
• Capital One Platinum: $0 annual fee. No rewards but possible access to a higher credit line after making first 5 payments on time. Possible upgrade to Capital One Quicksilver once your credit improves.
• Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: $0 annual fee. Unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. Earnings bumped to 1.25% every month you pay your bill on time.
• Target Credit Card: $0 annual fee. Save 5% at Target in-store and online, plus an extra 30 days on returns. Most Target.com orders qualify for free 2-day shipping.
• Citi Double Cash: $0 annual fee. Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. 0% for 18 months on balance transfers (3% (min $5) transfer fee). This card is for good credit (700+ score).

The best credit card for a 660 credit score is one that charges no or low fees. Credit cards for fair credit don’t have the best interest rates. So try to pay your bill in full and on time every month. Doing so, along with keeping your credit utilization low, should eventually get your score in the good range.

Before you apply for a card, you may be able to check for pre approval to test the waters. If you’re pre approved, you’re not guaranteed approval but your odds are about as high as they can be.

The best credit cards for a 720 credit score include Capital One Venture, which offers an initial bonus of 50,000 miles, and Citi Double Cash, which gives a combined 2% cash back on all purchases. Another top card is the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa. It offers at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

A credit score of 720 falls within the “Good” range, which is from around 700 to 749 on the 0 to 850 credit scale. Consumers in this category generally have a credit history of more than three years, more than $5,000 in available credit and no late payments in the past 12 months.

Also among the best credit cards for a 720 credit score is the Blue Cash EveryDay card from American Express. It gives you an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on balance transfers. The Discover It Cash Back card earns 5% on purchases on different categories each quarter and matches all cash back earned at the end of the first year.

With a 720 credit score and a steady income, you should have little trouble securing a credit card with a low interest rate, a high credit limit and good rewards.

Here are the best credit cards for a 720 credit score:

• Best for travel rewards: Capital One Venture. 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, worth $500 toward travel. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases; 10 on hotels booked through hotels.com/venture. No annual fee the first year, $95 after.
• Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash card. 2% cash back on all purchases; 1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay. Intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, 15.49% to 25.49% (V) after. 3% (min $5) transfer fee. $0 annual fee.
• Best for cash bonus: Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Up to $600 in cell phone protection with a $25 deductible. Introductory APRs of 0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on qualifying balance transfers on transfers. 15.49% to 27.49% Variable APR after. 3% for 120 days, then 5% transfer fee. $0 annual fee.
• Best for 0% APR: Blue Cash EveryDay Card from American Express. $150 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. Earn 3% cash back at supermarkets (first $6,000 spent yearly), 2% at gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases. Intro APRs of 0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on balance transfers. 14.49% to 25.49% (V) APR after. 3% (min $5) transfer fee. $0 annual fee.
• Best for low APR: Discover it Cash Back. Earn 5% on purchases (up to $1,500) in categories such as restaurants, gas stations and Amazon.com that rotate each quarter. Receive matching cash back at the end of the first year. Intro APR of 0% for 14 months on purchases and 0% for 14 months for balance transfers. 13.49% to 24.49% (V) APR after. 3% transfer fee. $0 annual fee.

A 720 credit score will put you in the running for some of the best credit cards on the market, provided you meet the card’s minimum income requirements. The very best cards, however, require excellent credit. That’s a credit score of 750 or better. To move up to that next level, maintain a history of timely payments and try reducing the amount of credit you use to less than 30%. The lower the ratio, the bigger the jump in your credit score. Also, avoid closing any credit cards or applying for new credit in a short period of time.

Tier 2 credit cards require a “good” credit score: 700 to 749 on the standard 300-850 point scale. Tier 1 credit cards are for people with excellent credit (750 and above). And Tier 3 credit cards are for fair credit (640-699). Some people view Tier 2 as starting at 660 and Tier 1 at 720. But if you apply for cards based on that scale, you’ll find yourself more likely to be rejected.

Some of the best Tier 2 credit cards are Capital One Venture, Citi Double Cash, Discover It Cash Back and American Express Blue Cash Everyday. They all offer attractive rewards.

Here are the best Tier 2 credit cards:

• Capital One Venture: Initial 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, worth $500 when redeemed for travel. 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. 10 miles per $1 on hotels booked through hotels.com/venture. $95 annual fee, waived first year.
• Citi Double Cash: Earn a combined 2% cash back on all purchases; 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers. 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum). No annual fee.
• Discover it Cash Back card: Earn 5% per $1 spent (up to $1,500) on categories that change each quarter. Will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year. 0% APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers. 3% balance transfer fee. No annual fee.
• American Express Blue Cash Everyday: $200 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. Earn 6% cash back at supermarkets (first $6,000 spent annually), 3% at gas stations and 1% on everything else. 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $5). No annual fee.

Tier 2 credit cards have some fantastic offers, but Tier 1 credit cards are the most lucrative. You can lower your credit tier by improving your credit score. Make timely payments on all of your credit accounts. Don’t apply for too many credit accounts in a short period of time, and don’t close any unused credit cards. Keep your debt to credit ratio under 30%.

Also, be sure to review your credit report regularly for any discrepancies that might affect your credit score, and report any errors to the credit reporting agencies.

There’s no way to tell exactly what credit limit you’ll get with any unsecured credit card, unless a minimum is listed in the offer’s terms and conditions. Spending limits vary from person to person. And credit card companies regularly tweak their standards. So even the limits reported by previously approved applicants can be off base and misleading.

Credit card companies consider a lot of information when making approval decisions and setting spending limits. But your income, assets and existing debt obligations are among the most important when it comes to credit limits. Basically, card issuers want to make sure that you can afford to repay whatever you spend.

With all of that being said, a spending limit of $5,000 to $10,000 is a pretty good ballpark estimate of what you can expect to receive from a credit card with good credit. For more information, check out WalletHub’s guide on how credit limits are determined.

There is no hard-and-fast timetable for when someone will reach good credit. How long it takes depends on a number of different factors, such as your payment history and how long you’ve been using credit. With that being said, it’s possible to build a good credit score from scratch in as little as six months.

But a good score based on limited information won’t last unless you continue to make on-time payments, maintain low credit utilization, etc. And it generally takes at least three years of responsible borrowing to build a consistently good credit score. Potential creditors simply need proof that you can use credit responsibly and afford the spending power provided by a new card.

You can see whether you have a good credit score, plus track your progress moving forward, for free on WalletHub. You can also learn more about how long credit improvement takes from this WalletHub guide.

If getting the best credit card is your only concern, there’s probably no reason you should wait until you have excellent credit. Cards for good credit, such as the Capital One Venture, Citi Double Cash, Discover It, and others, tend to be just as attractive as cards for excellent credit. The possible exception would be cards that have especially long 0% offers or particularly good travel bonuses. And if you plan to apply for a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, etc., in the next six months or so, holding off could be the right move. Applying for any card lowers your credit score temporarily. And you want your score to be in the best shape possible when you try to get a loan.

Otherwise, there are plenty of reasons to go for a card for good credit rather than waiting until you have excellent credit.

Why you should get/not get a credit card for good credit:

• Cards for good credit are just as attractive. Cards for good credit can give you high rewards and low fees. With excellent credit, you may get a larger initial bonus, a longer introductory 0% APR and more rewards. But those cards tend to come with high annual fees.
• You’re about to take out a major loan. Applying for a credit card will generate a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score. You want your score in the best shape possible before a loan. So you may want to wait before applying.
• Your credit rating is close to excellent. Applying for too many cards in a short time frame could cause your credit score to dip. It’s best not to apply for more than one card a year. So if you’re very close to excellent credit, it’s probably to your advantage to wait a few more months.
• Faster credit building. A new credit card account will increase your overall credit limit, thus lowering your credit utilization. This can help you build up toward excellent credit even faster.
• There’s an offer you can’t refuse. An attractive sign up bonus or rewards earning rate may be available only for a limited time. If there’s a card for good credit with a big bonus, it may be worth it to apply. Avoid overspending for the sole purpose of accumulating rewards.

It may not take long for you to graduate from good to excellent credit, if you’re close to begin with. It could happen the next time you make an on-time bill payment or if you reduce your credit utilization. You just have to decide whether waiting is worth it in your particular situation. And monitoring your free daily credit score updates on WalletHub will help you make the right choice.

Yes, credit cards for good credit are generally better than credit cards for people with fair, limited or bad credit. But there are exceptions, depending on how you plan to use your plastic.

For example, store credit cards typically require just fair credit for approval. But some offer the best rewards of any card for purchases made at the specific retailers they’re affiliated with. You obviously can’t use a store card for everything. So such a card can’t really compete with a solid everyday rewards card for good credit overall. But using both cards would be better than opting solely for a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card.

Interestingly enough, while credit cards for good credit tend to be more attractive than cards for people at lower credit levels, they usually aren’t at much of a disadvantage relative to offers reserved for people with excellent credit. The best credit cards often require at least good credit for approval. This is especially true with rewards cards, as it can be a bit harder to get the very best 0% offers.

For help finding the best credit card for your particular needs, sign up for a free WalletHub account. We’ll give you a personalized credit card recommendation based on your latest credit score and report.