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A credit card is one of life's most powerful tools. Responsible use can result in a good credit score which opens the door to auto loans, mortgages, and even favorable health insurance. Some of the most important things in life are made possible thanks to credit cards.
You can choose from dozens of the best credit cards. Whether you're after cash back, free hotel stays, super cheap airfare, a tool to help grow your small business, or even if you've got poor/no credit and would like to improve your credit score, there's a card for you.
Insider's ultimate credit card reviews guide will help you find the exact product you're looking for.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
In terms of flexibility, cash back is the king of credit card rewards. Many cash back credit cards give you the option to redeem your rewards as either cash, a statement credit, or a transfer to your bank account. Occasionally you'll be subject to a minimum redemption amount, but that's the only potential stumbling block you'll likely encounter.
Flat-rate cash-back cards, like the best 2% cash back credit cards, are suited to those who don't want to keep track of multiple bonus categories and just want a simple earning structure. But choosing a card that earns maximum cash back in bonus categories where you spend a lot — like groceries, dining, or gas — can make a huge difference in your rate of return.
Best cash back credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening | Wells Fargo Active Cash card review |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back) | Chase Freedom Unlimited review |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | $200 cash bonus (received as 20,000 bonus points) after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year | Chase Freedom Flex credit card review |
Discover it® Cash Back | Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Cash Back card review |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening | American Express Blue Cash Preferred review |
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening | Citi Custom Cash card review |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card | $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening | US Bank Cash Plus card review |
Citi® Double Cash Card | N/A | Citi Double Cash card review |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Secured credit card review |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card† | $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | Capital One Savor card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best cash-back credit cards guide.
Other cash back credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® | $100 cash back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening | AARP Credit Card review |
Prime Visa | $200 Amazon gift card upon approval of your credit card application | Prime Visa credit card review |
American Express Cash Magnet® Card | $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your card within the first 6 months of card membership | American Express Cash Magnet Credit Card review |
AT&T Points Plus® Card | $100 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening | Citi AT&T Points Plus credit card review |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership | Blue Cash Everyday Amex Card review |
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® | 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay | Walmart Credit Card review |
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening | Citi Custom Cash card review |
Citi Rewards+® Card | 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months of account opening | Citi Rewards Plus card review |
Discover it® Chrome | Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Chrome card review |
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® | free DashPass (worth $96) for a year upon account opening | DoorDash Rewards Credit Card review |
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card | N/A | Fidelity Rewards Visa credit card review |
Instacart Mastercard® | $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval, plus a free year of Instacart+ membership | Instacart Mastercard card review |
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card | $250 bonus after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening | US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card review |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card | 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening | Wells Fargo Autograph credit card review |
Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card | $250 cash back bonus when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of account opening | Navy Federal cashRewards credit card review |
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card | $100 statement credit offer when you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days from account opening | PenFed Power Cash Rewards card review |
PNC Points® Visa® Credit Card | 50,000 bonus points after spending $750 in the first 3 billing cycles following account opening | PNC Points Visa credit card review |
Save Wealth Premium | $10,000 investment bonus | Save Wealth Premium credit card review |
Upgrade Cards | $200 bonus when you open and fund a Rewards Checking account and make three qualifying debit card transactions within 60 days of card account opening | Upgrade card reviews |
X1 Card | N/A | X1 card review |
Best Airline Credit Cards
If you want to use travel rewards to save money on flights, an airline credit card is a must. You can choose between credit cards that earn airline miles, or cards that earn more flexible rewards points that you can transfer to various frequent flyer programs.
Airline cards also often come with valuable ongoing benefits like a free checked bag, priority boarding, or even airport lounge access. And it's not uncommon to find increased welcome bonuses worth well over $1,000 in travel.
Best airline credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Sapphire Preferred card review |
Aeroplan® Credit Card | 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 25,000 points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months | Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card review |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card review |
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card | 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening | Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex card review |
United℠ Explorer Card | 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open | United Explorer card review |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card review |
Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card | one ticket for just the taxes and fees when you buy one ticket and 40,000 bonus miles when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening | Alaska Airlines credit card review |
JetBlue Plus Card | 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days from account opening | JetBlue Plus credit card review |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening | Delta Reserve review |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | American Express Platinum card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best airline credit cards guide.
Other airline credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days | AAdvantage Aviator Red card review |
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card | 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | Aer Lingus Visa credit card review |
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® | 10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening | Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp card review |
British Airways Visa Signature® Card | 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | British Airways Visa credit card review |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $10,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening | Citi AAdvantage Executive card review |
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months from account opening | Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex card review |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening | Platinum Delta Amex card review |
Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® | 60,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening | Hawaiian Airlines credit card review |
Iberia Visa Signature® Card | 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | Iberia Visa credit card review |
JetBlue Card | 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days | JetBlue credit card review |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card review |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card review |
United Quest℠ Card | 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | United Quest card review |
United Club℠ Infinite Card | 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | United Club Infinite card review |
United Gateway℠ Card | 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | United Gateway credit card review |
Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® | 30,000 bonus Virgin Points after spending $1,000 or more on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | Virgin Atlantic credit card review |
Best Travel Credit Cards
While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point.
In fact, it's possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you're strategic about how you redeem your rewards for travel, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights.
While in most cases you'll pay an annual fee for travel cards, there are some no-annual-fee travel credit cards that come with strong earning rates and benefits that can improve your travel experience.
Best travel credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Sapphire Preferred card review |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | American Express Platinum card review |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening | Capital One Venture card review |
American Express® Gold Card | 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership | Amex Gold card review |
| Citi Premier® Card | 60,000 bonus ThankYou® points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2024 | |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Ink Business Preferred card review |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership | Amex Business Platinum card review |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening | |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases) | |
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card | 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening | Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex card review |
United℠ Explorer Card | 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open | United Explorer card review |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card review |
| Hilton Honors Surpass Card | 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card review |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | 75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review |
The World Of Hyatt Credit Card | 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning with 2 points per dollar, up to $15,000, on purchases that normally earn 1 point in the first six months of account opening | World of Hyatt credit card review |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 140,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening | IHG One Rewards Premier credit card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best travel credit cards guide.
Other travel credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
American Express® Green Card | 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership and earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases, up to a total of $200 back, made during your first six months of card membership | |
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card | 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. | |
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card | 15,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening | |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review |
Bilt Mastercard® | N/A | |
| Discover it® Miles | Unlimited Bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year | |
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card | 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening | |
| PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card | 15,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days of account opening | |
PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature | 30,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening | |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card | 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days from account opening | |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening | |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening |
Best Hotel Credit Cards
If you're thinking about opening a hotel credit card, the first step is to analyze your travel goals.
Are you a road-tripper who wants to book cheap hotels along the highway? Do you mostly use small-town hotels during trips to grandma's for Thanksgiving? Do you want a five-star vacation in the Maldives?
It's also important to consider the credit card's sign-up bonus, recurring benefits, ease of earning free nights via credit card spending, category bonuses, and elite status perks (if any).
The best hotel credit cards offer a free night after each account anniversary or for meeting spending thresholds. These nights can be worth much more than the cards' annual fees, and make them worth keeping year after year.
Best hotel credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Sapphire Preferred card review |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | American Express Platinum card review |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | 150,000 points after spending at least $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | Hilton Honors Aspire card review |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 140,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening | IHG One Rewards Premier credit card review |
The World Of Hyatt Credit Card | 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning with 2 points per dollar, up to $15,000, on purchases that normally earn 1 point in the first six months of account opening | World of Hyatt credit card review |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | 75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review |
Wyndham Rewards® Earner Plus Card | 75,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus credit card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best hotel credit cards guide.
Other hotel credit cards
| Hotel credit card | Welcome bonus | Card review |
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card | 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy credit card review |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card | 85,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from your account opening | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card review |
| Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® | 90,000 points after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases in the first three months from account opening | Choice Privileges Select Mastercard review |
| Choice Privileges® Mastercard® | 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three months from account opening | Choice Privileges Mastercard review |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership | Hilton Honors American Express card review |
| Hilton Honors Surpass Card | 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card review |
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card review |
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and up to $50 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening. | IHG One Rewards Traveler card review |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 | Marriott Bonvoy Bold credit card review |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card review |
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | World of Hyatt Business credit card review |
Best Small Business Credit Cards
You'd be surprised at what qualifies you for a small business credit card. Small businesses aren't always multi-million dollar operations — whether you're a freelancer, a Lyft driver, an Instacart shopper, or have any other side hustle, you could qualify for a small business credit card. Whether you want a small-business card that earns cash back, a general rewards business card, or a business card with no annual fee, there are plenty of options to choose from.
If you've got a sizable business, keeping your personal and business finances separate is vital. Things can get murky quickly when you're cutting personal and business checks from the same account — a business credit card will not only help separate expenses, but also help you establish business credit, so that you have flexibility later on with loans and leases.
Best small business credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Ink Business Preferred card review |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership | Amex Business Platinum card review |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | N/A | Amex Blue Business Plus credit card review |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card | N/A | Amex Blue Business Cash card review |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus† | $1,200 cash bonus after spending $30,000 in the first three months from account opening | Capital One Spark Cash Plus card review |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business† | 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | Capital One Spark Miles for Business card review |
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business† | 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business Review |
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card review |
American Express® Business Gold Card | 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership | Amex Business Gold card review |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Chase Ink Business Cash credit card review |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® | $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder's card in the first 150 days of opening your account | US Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards card review |
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card | N/A | |
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card | $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening | Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card review |
Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business† | N/A | |
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® | 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening | CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select American Airlines credit card review |
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | IHG One Rewards Premier Business credit card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best small business credit cards guide.
Other small business credit cards
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® | 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening | AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard review |
Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card | 50,000 bonus miles, $100 statement credit, and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening | Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card review |
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card | $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening | Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card review |
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card | 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening | Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards credit card review |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi | N/A | Costco Anywhere Visa Business card by Citi review |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership | American Express Delta Gold Business card review |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership | Delta American Express Platinum Business card review |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership | Amex Business Delta Reserve card review |
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | three bonus Free Night Awards (each worth up to 50,000 points) after using your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership | Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex card review |
Revenued Business Card | $500 cash back after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first 3 months from account opening | Revenued Business card review |
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Southwest Performance Business credit card review |
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card | 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open | Southwest Premier Business card review |
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit† | $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Capital One Spark Cash Select review |
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership | Amex Hilton Honors Business card review |
United℠ Business Card | 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open | United Business Card review |
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | World of Hyatt Business credit card review |
Wyndham Rewards® Earner Business Card | 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, and 25,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 within the first 12 months | Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card review |
Best Credit Cards for Building Credit
Having a low credit score makes it harder to get approved for a new credit card and other types of loans, and it means that when you do get approved for, say, a mortgage, you'll generally get less-favorable terms like the highest variable interest rates. A bad credit score is defined as anything below 580, according to the FICO scoring model.
It may seem counterintuitive, but opening and using a credit card responsibly is one of the best ways to build your credit history and score. If you're starting from scratch or need to rebuild from some credit mishaps in the past, consider one of the best secured credit cards as a stepping stone to more rewarding cards in the future.
Best credit cards for limited/no credit
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year | |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | N/A | Capital One Quicksilver Secured card review |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card | N/A | US Bank Cash Plus Secured credit card review |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card | N/A | US Bank Altitude Go Secured credit card review |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | N/A | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card review |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Student Cash Back card review |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | N/A | Petal 2 credit card review |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | N/A | Capital One Platinum Secured credit card review |
Capital One Platinum Credit Card | N/A | Capital One Platinum card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best credit cards for bad credit guide.
Other credit cards for limited/no credit
| Welcome bonus | Card review | |
Citi® Secured Mastercard® | Citi Secured Mastercard review | |
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card | N/A | Petal 1 Visa credit card review |
| PenFed Gold Visa® Card | 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 90 days (3% fee applies to each transfer), then a 17.99% APR on balance transfers and purchases | |
| U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card | N/A |
Best Zero Interest Credit Cards
Credit card interest fees can be absolutely crippling if you dig yourself into a hole of debt. Some credit cards incur over 30% APR — meaning you could pay thousands of dollars in interest in a single year by neglecting to pay off your card balances each month.
If you're paying interest on your credit card — or if you anticipate a large expense that'll take several months to pay off (medical bills, emergency car maintenance, etc.), a zero-interest credit card with an introductory 0% APR is just what you need. Some cards give you many months to pay off new purchases before any interest accrues. Others allow you to transfer a balance from your high-interest credit card while giving you an equally generous 0% interest window.
Best 0% APR credit cards
| Intro APR terms | Card review | |
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR) | Wells Fargo Reflect credit card review |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months (then a 18.24% - 28.99% Variable APR) | |
Citi Simplicity® Card | 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months (then a 19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR) | Citi Simplicity Card review |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR) | Wells Fargo Active Cash card review |
Citi® Double Cash Card | 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR) | Citi Double Cash card review |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR) | Chase Freedom Unlimited review |
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR) | Citi Custom Cash card review |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR) | Chase Freedom Flex credit card review |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR) | Blue Cash Everyday Amex Card review |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR) | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR) | Capital One SavorOne card review |
Discover it® Cash Back | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) | Discover it Cash Back card review |
Chase Slate Edge℠ | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR) | Chase Slate Edge card review |
This table reflects some of our current picks from the best 0% APR credit cards guide.
Other credit cards for 0% intro APR
| Intro APR terms | Card review | |
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles (then a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR) | U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card review |
BankAmericard® Credit Card | 0% intro APR for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR) | BankAmericard review |
Best Student Credit Cards
Applying for your first credit card is an exciting milestone regardless of age, but young adults can find it hard to get approved with limited income and credit history. Some parents add their children as credit card authorized users while they're still minors to get a head start on building credit, but this strategy isn't a good fit for everyone.
If you're a student without established credit, there are still plenty of credit cards that you can qualify for. Then, once you've improved your credit score by using a credit card responsibly, it can be easier to upgrade to more lucrative rewards credit cards.
Best student credit cards
| Student credit card | Welcome bonus | Card review |
Chase Freedom® Student credit card | $50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening | Chase Freedom Student card review |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening | Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card review |
Discover it® Student Cash Back | Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Student Cash Back card review |
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening | Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Student credit card review |
Discover it® Student Chrome | Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year | Discover it Student Chrome card review |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | N/A | Petal 2 Visa credit card review |
This table reflects our current picks from the best student credit cards guide.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of Discover it® Secured Credit Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of Discover it® Student Cash Back, please click here.
*All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Business Insider.