Personal Finance Credit Cards
Written by Katherine Fan; reviewed by Angela Fung
- Best Credit Cards
- Best Travel Credit Card
- Best Credit Card With No Annual Fee
- Best Credit Card for Renters
- Best Cash-Back Credit Card
- Best Balance Transfer Credit Card
- Best Airline Credit Card
- Best Hotel Credit Card
- Best Student Credit Card
- Best for Credit Card for Poor Credit
Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews.
The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
The best credit card can help fund your dream trip using points and miles, minimize credit card debt through a no-interest balance transfer, or earn cash back on every dollar you spend. Credit cardholders also enjoy better fraud protection benefits, and can receive complimentary purchase protection and trip insurance benefits.
Business Insider reviews and compares hundreds of credit cards to surface the top credit cards for various types of spenders.
Best Credit Cards of August 2024
- Best travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best no-annual-fee credit card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best credit card for renters: Bilt Mastercard®
- Best cash-back credit card: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best balance transfer credit card: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- Best airline credit card: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Best hotel credit card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Best student credit card: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best secured credit card: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Compare the Best Credit Cards
Best travel credit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's website
Insider’s Rating
Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.4/5
Perks
Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Intro Offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Good to Excellent
Pros
- High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
- Strong travel coverage
Cons
- Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Insider’s Take
If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.
Sapphire Preferred Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Best no-annual-fee credit card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.35/5
Perks
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Solid flat cash-back rate
- You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
- No annual fee
Cons
- Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
Insider’s Take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Chase Freedom Unlimited review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Best credit card for paying rent
Bilt Mastercard®
On Bilt's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4/5
Perks
Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. Earn 2x points on travel. Earn 3x points on dining. Earn 1x points on other purchases. Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
See Terms
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Only credit card to offer rent payments to any landlord
- Excellent range of airline and hotel transfer partners through the Bilt App
- World Elite Mastercard benefits and no annual fee
Cons
- If you’re not a renter, other cards offer better welcome bonuses and rewards
- Must make 5 transactions per statement period to earn points
Insider’s Take
The Bilt Mastercard® is the first credit card to offer up to 100,000 points in a calendar year rewards for paying rent without the transaction fee — and you can redeem your points for travel, merchandise, and more. While it now offers bonus points on dining and select travel, if you're not a renter, you should consider other no-annual-fee rewards credit cards as well.
Bilt Mastercard® review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
- 2x points on travel.
- 3x points on dining.
- 1x points on other purchases.
- Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
- When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.
Best cash-back credit card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.3/5
Perks
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable
Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
- Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
- Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Cons
- If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
- Foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Best balance transfer credit card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
On Wells Fargo's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.5/5
Perks
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days
Regular APR
18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Extra-long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take
If you're looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card for balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice. And it offers an extra-long interest-free period on new purchases, too.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Best airline credit card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
4.3/5
Perks
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$350
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Earns bonus miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
- Annual companion certificate can help you recoup most, if not all, of the annual fee
- You get a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Cons
- High annual fee
Insider’s Take
Delta's mid-tier card is a good choice for frequent flyers who can take advantage of money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. However, if you're unlikely to maximize these perks or you don't fly Delta that often, a travel credit card with a lower annual fee is a better choice.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Resy Credit: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 each month in statement credits.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $350 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best hotel credit card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Insider’s Rating
4.8/5
Perks
Earn 14X points for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 7X points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. Earn 7X points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 3X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases
Intro Offer
150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Complimentary top-tier Hilton elite status
- Get a weekend night reward each year after you renew your card
- High welcome bonus
- Valuable annual statement credit for eligible Hilton purchases
Cons
- High annual fee
Insider’s Take
Many of the best credit cards come with high annual fees that certainly aren't for everyone, and that's definitely the case with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card . This is Hilton's most expensive (and rewarding) card, and it's geared toward loyal Hilton travelers who can make the most of its many generous benefits.
Hilton Honors Aspire review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Best student credit card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.05/5
Perks
Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
$50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening
Earn a $50 cash bonus
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
Pros
- Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement
- Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Only available to college students
Insider’s Take
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for students who spend a lot on food and going out, because it earns 3% cash back on dining, groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming, and entertainment.
SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Best secured credit card
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.88/5
Perks
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with a refundable $200 minimum deposit.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Limited, No History
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits
- You can get approved for this card with limited credit
- Ability to increase credit line and potential to improve credit score with responsible use
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- Because it’s a secured credit card, you’ll have to put down a security deposit for your initial credit line
- High APR if you carry a balance
Insider’s Take
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you're new to credit cards and working on building your credit history and score. It's a rare secured credit card that offers decent rewards, but you'll have to put down a deposit after you're approved to secure your credit line.
Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Best Credit Card Reviews
It's impossible to name a single credit card that would be perfect for everyone given the wide range of benefits, rewards and annual fees available. But understanding what you want from your credit card will help you find the best one for you.
In this guide, Business Insider's team of credit card experts have summarized common categories of rewards and perks that appeal to different consumers. These are our top picks of the best credit cards for 2024.
Best Travel Credit Card
Best travel credit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's website
Insider’s Rating
Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.4/5
Perks
Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Intro Offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Good to Excellent
Pros
- High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
- Strong travel coverage
Cons
- Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Insider’s Take
If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.
Sapphire Preferred Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is worth it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best credit cards available to consumers. Topping our list of best travel credit cards for beginners and experts alike, this card pairs a moderate annual fee with a substantial welcome bonus, great redemption opportunities, and fantastic benefits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card starts you off with a lucrative welcome bonus offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Those points are worth $750 toward travel booked through Chase, or potentially up to $1,080 if you redeem them through transfer partners.
You'll earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM(2x points on all other travel purchases); 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2025; 3x points on dining; 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs); 3x points on select streaming services; and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
You can transfer Chase points to airline and hotel companies such as British Airways, Hyatt, United Airlines, and Southwest, or you can book travel directly through Chase. If you choose the latter, your points are worth 1.25 cents apiece by our valuations — a 25% bonus.
Beyond the rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers some of the best complimentary travel insurance of any credit card, let alone at this card's annual fee price point. You'll also enjoy top-tier benefits including primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with a 10% anniversary points bonus and up to $50 per year in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase. If you maximize this credit, you can shave off more than half of the card's annual fee.
What the experts love: Lucrative welcome bonus offer, excellent transfer partners, and top-tier travel insurance
What the experts don't love:No airport lounge access or Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review to learn more about this credit card.
Best Credit Card With No Annual Fee
Best no-annual-fee credit card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.35/5
Perks
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Solid flat cash-back rate
- You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
- No annual fee
Cons
- Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
Insider’s Take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Chase Freedom Unlimited review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is worth it: TheChase Freedom Unlimited® is atop pick in our list of the best no-annual-fee credit cards, and particularly attractive for people who also hold another Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns up to 5x rewards in popular categories with no annual fee. It also comes with a generous 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, after which there's a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR.
Not only does this card help you pay down credit card debt with a generous introductory APR period, but it also offers solid ongoing rewards. You'll earn 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchases made through Chase Travel℠; 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025; 3% back (3x points) on drugstores and dining; and 1.5% back (1.5x points) on everything else.
If you have a Chase card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can combine your Chase rewards balances and gain the option to redeem your rewards in more ways, including transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners.
What the experts love:Great earning rates and decent benefits with no annual fee
What the experts don't love:Foreign transaction fees
Learn more about this credit card in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Best Credit Card for Renters
Best credit card for paying rent
Bilt Mastercard®
On Bilt's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4/5
Perks
Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. Earn 2x points on travel. Earn 3x points on dining. Earn 1x points on other purchases. Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
See Terms
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Only credit card to offer rent payments to any landlord
- Excellent range of airline and hotel transfer partners through the Bilt App
- World Elite Mastercard benefits and no annual fee
Cons
- If you’re not a renter, other cards offer better welcome bonuses and rewards
- Must make 5 transactions per statement period to earn points
Insider’s Take
The Bilt Mastercard® is the first credit card to offer up to 100,000 points in a calendar year rewards for paying rent without the transaction fee — and you can redeem your points for travel, merchandise, and more. While it now offers bonus points on dining and select travel, if you're not a renter, you should consider other no-annual-fee rewards credit cards as well.
Bilt Mastercard® review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
- 2x points on travel.
- 3x points on dining.
- 1x points on other purchases.
- Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
- When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.
Why the Bilt Mastercard® is worth it: The Bilt Mastercard® is one of the best new credit cards on the market in recent years. Renters can pay rent on this credit card without incurring any fees, and will even earn rewards for doing so (1 point per dollar on up to $100,000 of rental payments).
But even non-renters can earn significant value by adding this no-annual-fee credit card to their wallets. Cardholders also earn 3 points per dollar on dining, which includes food delivery services; 2 points per dollar on travel purchases booked directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, or cruise lines; and 1 point on most other purchases but must make at least five purchases per billing cycle to earn rewards on this card.
Bilt doubles these earning rates on the first day of every month, affectionately known as "Bilt Rent Day", and Bilt members can earn even more points from playing trivia games and participating in various contests.
Bilt Points are worth 1.65 cents apiece on average, according to Business Insider's most recent valuations, and are especially valuable when transferred to airline and hotel partners. You can also book travel directly through the Bilt Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, which creates a stable floor of redemption value.
The Bilt Mastercard® also comes laden with generous benefits including primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance that goes into effect after six hours, cell phone protection up to $800 per claim which is subject to a $25 deductible, and no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).
Read our Bilt Mastercard card reviewto learn more about this card.
Best Cash-Back Credit Card
Best cash-back credit card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.3/5
Perks
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable
Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
- Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
- Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Cons
- If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
- Foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Why the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is worth it: Between a flat 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and a generous welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice if you prefer the simplicity of earning and redeeming cash back.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a beautifully straightforward reward structure and compelling intro bonus offer. Cardholders earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no caps and no complicated categories to juggle. That's why it tops our list of the best cash-back credit cards (and the best Wells Fargo credit cards).
It comes with a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening, and you can redeem Wells Fargo Rewards for statement credits, gift cards, travel, and more. For new cardholders, there's a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (followed by a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR), which can be helpful if you have big expenses you want to pay off over several months.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also offers a wide range of benefits, including cell phone protection, travel emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch, and Visa Signature® Concierge access. Keep in mind this card adds foreign transaction fees, so if you're traveling internationally, it's best to use a different card.
What the experts love:High rewards rate across purchases, good welcome offer, no annual fee
What the experts don't love:Foreign transaction fees
Learn more about this card in our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card
Best balance transfer credit card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
On Wells Fargo's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.5/5
Perks
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days
Regular APR
18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Extra-long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take
If you're looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card for balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice. And it offers an extra-long interest-free period on new purchases, too.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Why the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is worth it: If you're looking for an ultra-long intro 0% APR offer for both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, you won't do much better than the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.
You might wonder why a card that doesn't earn rewards appears on our list of top credit cards — and if rewards are your priority, you can probably give the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card a skip. Where the card does excel, however, is with its intro APR offer. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate, and they come with a fee of 5%, min: $5.
A few other cards come with balance transfer offers of the same length, but a shorter duration (or none at all) for purchases. That's why you'll find this card at the top of our guide to the best balance transfer credit cards.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with cell phone protection against damage and theft — a generous offer on a card with no annual fee. This benefit alone can be a good reason to keep using the card after the intro period ends — especially since it's unusual to see no-annual-fee cards with that benefit.
What the experts love:Extra long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, no annual fee
What the experts don't love:No welcome bonus offer or rewards, and few benefits aside from cell phone protection
Learn more about this card in our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.
Best Airline Credit Card
Best airline credit card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
4.3/5
Perks
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$350
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Earns bonus miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
- Annual companion certificate can help you recoup most, if not all, of the annual fee
- You get a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Cons
- High annual fee
Insider’s Take
Delta's mid-tier card is a good choice for frequent flyers who can take advantage of money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. However, if you're unlikely to maximize these perks or you don't fly Delta that often, a travel credit card with a lower annual fee is a better choice.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Resy Credit: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 each month in statement credits.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $350 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Why the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is worth it: If you're a Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is hard to beat for value. (If you're not a Delta flyer, see our best airline credit cards guide for other top options).
This card earns a spot in this guide thanks to benefits that go beyond the standard features like free checked bags and priority boarding — though it offers those as well.
The card has an annual fee of $350, which Delta flyers can offset by taking advantage of the annual Delta companion certificate benefit. This benefit lets you receive a companion certificate on main cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations each year after renewal of your card. You'll only pay taxes and fees on your companion's ticket. Depending on how you use it, this perk can more than cancel out the annual fee.
Other top features include TakeOff 15, which gets you 15% off Delta award flights, and an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
What the experts love:Delta companion certificate, good intro bonus and ongoing earning rates, free checked bag on Delta
Cons: Annual fee isn't worth it if you don't fly Delta often and can't take advantage of the companion certificate
Learn more about this card in our Delta Platinum Card review.
Best Hotel Credit Card
Best hotel credit card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Insider’s Rating
4.8/5
Perks
Earn 14X points for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 7X points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. Earn 7X points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 3X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases
Intro Offer
150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Complimentary top-tier Hilton elite status
- Get a weekend night reward each year after you renew your card
- High welcome bonus
- Valuable annual statement credit for eligible Hilton purchases
Cons
- High annual fee
Insider’s Take
Many of the best credit cards come with high annual fees that certainly aren't for everyone, and that's definitely the case with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card . This is Hilton's most expensive (and rewarding) card, and it's geared toward loyal Hilton travelers who can make the most of its many generous benefits.
Hilton Honors Aspire review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Why the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is worth it: You might be wondering why our pick for best hotel credit cards has an annual fee of $550. While that's a steep price to pay upfront, you can get back that much value and more if you're a frequent Hilton guest by taking advantage of this card's generous perks.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a solid welcome bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership, which can get you a range of free hotel nights depending on where you choose to redeem them.
It also comes with an annual Hilton resort credit of $250. You can use this credit toward purchases at Hilton resorts such as room service, spa treatments, or activities. So you'll recoup at least $250 in value each year if you take advantage of these services.
The card also offers up to $250 in airline incidental fee credits each calendar year. Once you select an airline and pay for eligible charges with this card, you will automatically be reimbursed for baggage fees, seat selection, in-flight purchases and more.
The full list of benefits is too lengthy to list here, but other standouts that can get you significant value include an annual free night award (redeemable at almost any Hilton worldwide) and top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status, which gets you bonus points on Hilton stays, free breakfast, space-available room upgrades, and more.
If you're not interested in staying at Hilton locations, see our guide to the best hotel credit cards for other options, including those tied to other hotel chains and cards with rewards that can be redeemed at a wider range of properties.
What the experts love:Strong welcome bonus, high earning rates on spending, valuable annual credits and free night certificate
What the experts don't love:High annual fee, Hilton-specific benefits which aren't useful if you prefer other hotels
Learn more about this card in our Hilton Aspire Card review.
Best Student Credit Card
Best student credit card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.05/5
Perks
Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
$50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening
Earn a $50 cash bonus
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
Pros
- Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement
- Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Only available to college students
Insider’s Take
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for students who spend a lot on food and going out, because it earns 3% cash back on dining, groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming, and entertainment.
SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Why the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth it: Earning 3% cash back in student-friendly categories with the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card can add up quickly, and because it's geared to students, it can be easier to qualify with limited credit history.
There are many student credit card options on the market, but the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is our top pick.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back on many common college student categories of spend including dining at restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges; at grocery stores except for superstores like Walmart and Target; on entertainment such as movies, professional sporting events, and amusem*nt parks; and popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
This card also earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats through November 14, 2024; 5% cash back on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel; and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. All other purchases earn 1% back.
You might expect a student credit card to be a little thin in the benefits department, but that's not the case here. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive price protection***, extended warranty***, and travel accident insurance***. And because the card doesn't add foreign transaction fees (rates and fees), it's a great choice to use if you're studying abroad for a semester or taking a backpacking trip overseas during summer break.
What the experts love:Excellent categories for students, good benefits, no annual or foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)
What the experts don't love: The card doesn't always offer a welcome bonus
Read our Capital One SavorOne Student Card review for more in-depth coverage.
Best for Credit Card for Poor Credit
Best secured credit card
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.88/5
Perks
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with a refundable $200 minimum deposit.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Limited, No History
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits
- You can get approved for this card with limited credit
- Ability to increase credit line and potential to improve credit score with responsible use
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- Because it’s a secured credit card, you’ll have to put down a security deposit for your initial credit line
- High APR if you carry a balance
Insider’s Take
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you're new to credit cards and working on building your credit history and score. It's a rare secured credit card that offers decent rewards, but you'll have to put down a deposit after you're approved to secure your credit line.
Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Why the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card is worth it: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a secured credit card that stands out for offering rewards. You'll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases (and 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel), with no limit and no annual fee (rates and fees).
Secured cards are some of the best credit cards for bad credit, since they're easier to get. These cards require a cash deposit up front, which lowers the risk for a card issuer. After using this card for a while and making on-time monthly payments, you may see your credit score increase.
What the experts love: Earns rewards (a rarity for secured cards), no foreign transaction fees, responsible use can raise your credit score (rates and fees)
What the experts don't love:No welcome bonus, high APR if you carry a balance
Read our Capital One Quicksilver Secured card review to learn more about this card.
Best Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 credit card to have?
The best credit card will vary based on your individual needs and wants. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a fantastic card all-around, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited® deserves a place in every wallet. Chase credit cards as a whole are extremely popular with consumers. Some store credit cards are also very popular with consumers, including the Best Buy Credit Card and the Home Depot Credit Card.
What is the most prestigious credit card?
The most publicly known premium card in the world is the Centurion "Black Card" by American Express.
What are the top three credit cards?
A cash rewards credit card with no annual fee is always good to have in your wallet, like theChase Freedom Unlimited®. The Bilt Mastercard® allows you to pay rent on a credit card, and earns great travel rewards for no annual fee. If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers generous benefits and a strong travel rewards program.
What is the best credit card company?
The best credit card company for you will offer the right type of rewards you want to earn, the benefits you value, and the annual fee you are willing to pay.If you value airport lounge access, an American Express card could be the right choice. If you value cash back or travel benefits you will find great options from major issuers including Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Wells Fargo.
What is the very best credit card to own?
Find your best credit card by understanding what you want your card to do. You can boost your credit with a secured card or a no-annual-fee cash-back card. If you want to earn travel rewards, familiarize yourself with airline miles and hotel points tied to a specific loyalty program.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards
Business Insider's experts constantly evaluate the best credit cards on the market, and update this guide on a regular basis. We consider a wide range of products that consumers love, and evaluated each card's merits according to its primary benefits.
The values we prioritized when coming up with this list of the best credit cards were:
- Simplicity: All of the cards on this list are easy for consumers to use and understand. While we offer a wide range of credit card guides for maximizing rewards and benefits, we kept our tops list straightforward for people seeking a daily card to use.
- Affordability: We focused on cards that offer low or no annual fee. Most credit card users aren't looking for a card that costs $450 or more, even though there's a case to be made for paying a high annual fee when you're getting high value in return.
- Value: A good credit card should offer enough value to offset its annual fee, if any. When evaluating no-annual-fee cards, we focused on the ones that provide the best benefits compared to its competitors.
Read Business Insider's guide to points and miles valuations to learn what your credit card rewards are worth.
See Business Insider's full methodology for rating credit cards.
Senior Editor, Credit Cards
Katherine Fan is a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker with nine years of industry experience.Before joining Personal Finance Insider as Senior Editor of Credit Cards, Katherine covered aviation, award travel, loyalty programs, and credit cards as a senior reporter for The Points Guy, and small business finances as a lead writer for Nerdwallet.ExperienceSince 2015, Katherine has published 1,800+ articles, guides, and reviews covering credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing.Katherine has also freelanced for CNN Underscored, Forbes Advisor, Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, the Dallas Morning News, LendingTree, Upgraded Points, Fortune Recommends, Newsweek, and Slickdeals Money. Her work has been syndicated by Nasdaq, MSN and Yahoo.Katherine is a guest speaker at TravelCon, and hasbeen featured on multiple podcastsincluding NPR Life Kit, Expedia's Out Travel the System, and The Points Guy'sMiles Away.In her spare time, Katherine moonlights as a photojournalist covering Formula 1, Austin City Limits, and SXSW for the Austin American-Statesman and other media outlets. When she's not jetsetting around the world, you'll likely find her in Austin cooking up a batch of spicy Chinese food.ExpertiseKatherine's expertise encompasses:
- Small business finances
- Credit cards
- Points and miles travel
- Travel insurance
- Real estate investing
Katherine's interest in personal finance runs parallel to her passions for real estate investing and award travel. Despite a salary of just $28,000 a year from her first full-time job, Katherine built an excellent credit score of 805 from scratch through hard work [and privilege], which allowed her to purchase her first home six years after graduating college. She's since added five more doors to her real estate portfolio, although she plans to retire on her index fund investments.Thanks to credit card travel rewards, Katherinehas flown well over one million miles visiting 44 countries across all seven continents. She's sailed with orcas in Antarctica, flown home in first class from Japan, photographed a wedding at Hobbiton in New Zealand, and gone on safari in South Africa. But her most meaningful trips always bringher home to loved ones in Taiwan.EducationKatherine holds dual degrees in photojournalism and Asian American studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a certificate in business Chinese proficiency from National Taiwan University. She began her professional career in tech as a software sales executive for several years before returning to her media roots.
Marketing Compliance Manager
Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider'sPersonal Financedivision, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.
Top Offers From Our Partners
Chime® Checking Account Set up Direct Deposit and get your paycheck up to 2 days before your coworkers.** No overdraft fees. No monthly fees. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. **Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are 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.
**Enrollment required.
***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.
For a guide to the benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.
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