I think about credit cards all the time.
As a personal finance journalist, I've covered credit card rewards for a decade and have more than three dozen active cards.
It's impossible to name a single credit card that would be perfect for everyone's needs. But knowing what you want from your credit card can help you find your best option.
My family and friends frequently ask me, "What's the best credit card?" and "What credit card should I get?" I offer personalized recommendations based on their individual needs and wants, factoring in benefits, rewards, and financial protection they won't get from paying cash or using a debit card.
I compiled this list of winners based on that research.
I compared welcome offers, ongoing rewards for common expenses, benefits and protections like trip insurance and purchase protection, and reasonable annual fees (or lack thereof) across dozens of credit cards available today. Out of this list of my top 10 finalists, you'll find six of them in my own wallet.
These are the best credit cards you can get right now.
Best Credit Cards of May 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for foodies | Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for 0% APR | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0 |
| Best for young adults | Bilt Mastercard® (rates and fees) | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for cash rewards | Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for reward maximizers | Discover it® Cash Back | $0 |
| Best for paying off debt | Citi® Double Cash Card | $0 |
| Best for travelers | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $95 |
| Best for families | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees) |
| Best for Southwest fans | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | $149 |
| Best for airport lounge access | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 |
Best Credit Card for Foodies
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn $200 cash back
Good to Excellent
- No annual fee
- Bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases
- Long intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- Other cards earn more cash back in certain bonus categories
- Not the highest sign-up bonus among cash-back cards
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a good welcome bonus and excellent return rates that can earn you cash back on common expenses like dining, groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming, and entertainment — plus there's no annual fee to worry about.
Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 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
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
What I love: Great earning rates, no annual fee, and 0% intro APR
What I don't love: Typically requires excellent credit score for approval
The Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of several no-annual-fee credit cards featured in this guide, and you'll also find it in our guide to the best credit cards for groceries.
That's because this card earns serious rewards on food and fun: 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One miles are very easy to use once you've earned them, and have an average value of 1.7 cents apiece by Business Insider's calculations of what points and miles are worth.
New cardholders can earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, and 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR.
Learn more about this card in our Capital One Savor card review.
Pro tip: If you're a student, you may want to consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. It has more lenient credit requirements but earns the same generous rewards.
Why I Didn't Recommend the American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most popular credit cards for foodies, earning 4 Amex points per dollar on both groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year) and restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases each year), then 1 point per dollar after reaching the limit for each category. Terms apply.
However, the card's $325 annual fee is steep, especially if you're just entering the world of rewards credit cards.
If you're a big foodie, read more about this card's pros and cons in our Amex Gold Card review.
Best Credit Card for 0% Intro APR
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Earn a $200 bonus
Good to Excellent
- Solid flat cash-back rate
- You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
- No annual fee
- Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
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- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 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; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% 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 18.99% - 28.49%.
- 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
What I love: Great earning rates, no annual fee, and initial zero-interest period
What I don't love: Foreign transaction fees
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the top zero-interest credit cards because it offers a generous 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also earns great rewards, especially for a no-annual-fee credit card: 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.
New cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus on this card: $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This card charges foreign transaction fees, so make sure you leave this card in your wallet when you pack your passport or shop online from a non-U.S. business.
Learn more about this card in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Pro tip: While this is technically a cash-back credit card, it earns those rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
I can transfer points from my Chase Freedom Unlimited® to a Chase credit card that earns travel rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to book business-class award flights through Chase transfer partners or through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Chase points are some of the most valuable credit card rewards you can earn, worth an average of 1.8 cents apiece by Business Insider's valuations.
Why I Didn't Recommend the Chase Freedom Flex®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex® are very similar cards with similar reward rates and bonus categories.
The Chase Freedom Flex® is best for people who don't mind spending extra time and energy tracking quarterly bonus categories. Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easy for anyone to use thanks to its flat 1.5% cash back on most purchases.
If you enjoy the thrill of "getting a good deal," the Chase Freedom Flex® might be a better fit for you.
Learn more about this card in our Chase Freedom Flex credit card review or read our comparison of the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited cards.
Best Credit Card for Young Adults
$0
N/A
See Terms
N/A
Good to Excellent
- 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
- If you’re not a renter, other cards offer better welcome bonuses and rewards
- Must make 5 transactions per statement period to earn points
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®- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earns 3x points on dining
- Earn 2x points on travel
- Earn 1x points on other purchases
- Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
- Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
- Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
- Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
What I love: Double point days, the ability to pay rent with a credit card, and generous dining rewards with no annual fee (rates and fees)
What I don't love: Double point rewards are capped at a 1,000-point maximum
The Bilt Mastercard® is a one-size-fits-all credit card for young adults because it earns bonus points on restaurant and travel purchases.
Young adults can even earn up to 100,000 Bilt Points per calendar year on rent by paying rent with this credit card without incurring any transaction fees. Bilt Points are extremely flexible and can be used to pay rent, book travel, or redeemed for merch or statement credits.
Even non-renters earn great rewards with the Bilt Mastercard®. For instance, I got this card because I can earn 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points on travel, and 1 point on other purchases.
You won't earn points unless you make at least five purchases each billing cycle, but this card makes it very easy to maximize your everyday purchases. Cardholders earn double points on the first day of every month, affectionately known as "Bilt Rent Day", on up to 1,000 points.
The Bilt Mastercard® also comes with generous benefits including primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance that goes into effect after just six hours, cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim which is subject to a $25 deductible, and no foreign transaction fees (rates and fees).
All of these benefits add up to make the Bilt Mastercard® a perfect travel companion for adventurous young adults who are ready to see the world but aren't prepared to pay an annual fee for a credit card.
Learn more in our Bilt Mastercard card review.
Pro tip: You don't have to be a Bilt cardholder to earn Bilt Points. Simply link any credit card to the Bilt app wallet to earn points on all eligible dining purchases.
Best Credit Card for Cash Rewards
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus
Good to Excellent
- 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
- 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
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- Apply Now to take advantage of this 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 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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.
What I love: Flat-rate 2% cash rewards and 0% intro APR with no annual fee
What I don't love: Foreign transaction fees
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is ideal for people who prioritize flat-rate cash rewards. Its ease of use makes it one of the best cash back credit cards (and included in our guide to the best Wells Fargo credit cards).
This card is all about simple math and cash, earning unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases across all categories. Wells Fargo Rewards can easily be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, travel, and more.
New cardholders can easily earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. There's also a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months, followed by a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR.
Finally, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes with a wide range of valuable benefits including cell phone protection for up to $600 per claim.
This card does charge foreign transaction fees, so leave it at home on international trips.
Learn more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.
Best Credit Card for Reward Maximizers
$0
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®
Good to Excellent
- From April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
- Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
- No annual fee
- Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
- If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories each quarter up to a spending limit when activated. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.
Discover it® Cash Back- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
What I Love: 5% bonus quarterly rotating categories up to quarterly maximum after activation, generous 0% intro APR, and Cashback Match for first-year cardholders
What I Don't Love: 1% rewards on non-bonus categories
The Discover it® Cash Back makes earning extra fun, when you enroll in the quarterly 5% bonuses that change every three months with up to $1,500 in combined category spending.
Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on purchases from rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
I use Business Insider's Discover cash back calendar to help me remember each quarter's categories.
This card doesn't earn a traditional welcome bonus, but Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year for new card members through the Discover it Cashback Match program. This means you'll have your rewards earnings matched at the end of Year 1 of card ownership.
This card offers new cardholders a generous zero-interest offer on new purchases and existing debt: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR APR.
While some cards offer longer 0% APR periods, few do so while still earning rewards as generous as the Discover it® Cash Back.
Learn more in our Discover it Cash Back card review.
Best Credit Card for Paying Off Debt
$0
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
Earn $200 cash back
Excellent, Good, Fair
- No annual fee
- Simple earning structure without confusing bonus categories
- Some cards earn higher rates of cash back on rotating categories
- While it has an introductory APR offer, that's only on balance transfers, not purchases, so you can't use it to fund a major expense without interest
The Citi® Double Cash Card doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles. But earning 2% cash back (1 point per dollar at the time of purchase and 1 point per dollar when you pay your bill) without an annual fee is an excellent deal. It's also one of our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards.
Citi Double Cash CardWhat I love: Long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers, no annual fee
What I don't love: No 0% intro APR for purchases
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers solid benefits and rewards while helping you pay off debt via a long balance transfer period: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.
Cardholders who want to make a balance transfer must pay the following balance transfer fee: 3% intro fee of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first four months of account opening, then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum). But this expense is significantly lower than the credit card interest you'd pay elsewhere.
The Citi® Double Cash Card earns unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases) and 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
This rate is generous for a card with no annual fee that offers such a long period with no interest, and makes the Citi® Double Cash Card worth keeping in your wallet long after your zero-interest offer expires.
New cardholders can also earn $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Learn more about this card in our Citi Double Cash card review.
Why I Didn't Recommend the Citi Simplicity® Card
The Citi Simplicity® Card is a sister card of the Citi® Double Cash Card with an even longer intro APR period for balance transfers. However, the Citi Simplicity® Card doesn't earn any rewards, and I think 2% cash back on everything I buy over those months is worth forgoing a few extra months of no interest.
If you just want the longer option for a zero-interest balance transfer, read more about this card in our Citi Simplicity card review.
Best Credit Card for Travelers
$95
N/A
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Earn 100,000 bonus points
Good to Excellent
- High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
- Strong travel coverage
- Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
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.
Chase Sapphire Preferred- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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, 2027.
- Member FDIC
What I love: Primary rental car insurance, generous travel credit, easy rewards
What I don't love: Annual fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is in our guide to the best travel rewards credit cards for several reasons. One of those factors is complimentary travel insurance with generous coverage terms, especially for its low annual fee of $95.
Travel insurance benefits help you recoup non-refundable expenses when things go awry, and this coverage is particularly beneficial for families who may need to cancel or postpone travel at the last minute for illness or bad weather.
Cardholders also get primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
Finally, cardholders earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2 points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point on all other purchases. They also get a 10% anniversary points bonus, and up to $50 a year in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase.
Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred card review.
Pro tip: Right now, new cardholders can earn a particularly generous welcome bonus: 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer is worth $1,800, according to Business Insider's valuations.
Best Credit Card for Families
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening
20.24% - 29.24% variable
Earn a $250 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets
- One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services
- Intro APR offer
- Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee
- If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you'll want to use another card once you reach that cap
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred® is one of the best cash-back cards, particularly for consumers who spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets, use streaming services, or have lots of commuting and gas expenses. The annual fee is worth it if your typical spending lines up with the card's bonus categories.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred® Card- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 20.24% - 29.24%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
What I love: Generous rewards for gas, transit, groceries, and streaming expenses
What I don't love: Annual fee after the first year (rates and fees)
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a fantastic household credit card for families who spend money on groceries, commutes, and streaming services.
This card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). Terms apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees). If you max out the cash back bonus at U.S. supermarkets spending $6,000 each year, that's $360 of cash in your pocket — significantly more than the annual fee you'll start paying in Year 2.
Learn more in our American Express Blue Cash Preferred review.
Pro tip: If you like everything about this card except its yearly cost, consider its sibling, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
This card earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).
Read more about it in our Blue Cash Everyday Amex card review.
Best Credit Card for Southwest Fans
$149
N/A
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Earn 50,000 points
Good to Excellent
- Generous annual benefits, including a Southwest travel credit and anniversary points, plus upgraded boardings and in-flight discounts
- If you fly Southwest several times a year, the benefits easily outweigh the annual fee
- Annual fee is low compared to other premium airline credit cards
- Highest annual fee among Southwest consumer cards
If you can make use of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card's many benefits and perks, it's well worth the annual fee. Otherwise, have a look at other Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which have lower annual fees but the same elevated welcome bonus offer.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
What I love: $75 annual statement credit toward Southwest travel, free checked bag
What I don't love: Upcoming airline changes, annual fee
Southwest is one of the most popular airlines for U.S. travelers, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card gives frequent flyers a serious leg up on benefits.
This credit card is Southwest's premium consumer card and comes with a $149 annual fee. But cardholders get an annual credit of $75 toward Southwest flights, which effectively halves the out-of-pocket cost of the annual fee.
After 50-odd years of proudly proclaiming no bag fees, Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked bags in late May — but cardholders and travelers with elite status will still be able to check at least one free bag per flight.
Southwest will also begin charging for seat assignments in late 2025. While we don't yet know many details about this momentous change, cardholders will likely get exclusive benefits that everyday travelers do not. If nothing else, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar when paying for preferred seating.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card won't do you any good if you don't fly Southwest, of course. But if you do, this card can help you fast-track your way to elite status and the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, especially if you time your welcome offer just right.
Learn more in our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card review.
Why I Didn't Recommend Other Airline Credit Cards
Airline credit cards rarely offer the best value when used for every purchase. In fact, many savvy travelers use airline credit cards exclusively for the carrier-specific benefits they offer, such as free checked bags and preferred seating.
We previously recommended the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card as the best airline credit card for most travelers. However, an annual fee increase in 2024 made me reconsider whether it offers the best value for most of my friends and family.
People often tell me that Delta is their preferred airline. But it isn't always the most affordable carrier, whether you pay with cash or Delta SkyMiles. And in most cases, cardholders still earn more and get better travel insurance protection by using a travel rewards credit card with excellent benefits such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Learn more about airline credit card pros and cons in our guide to the best airline credit cards.
Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access
$395
N/A
19.99% - 29.24% variable
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
Excellent
- Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
- Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
- Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.
Capital One Venture X- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
What I love: Airport lounge access for myself and all authorized users, easy rewards, strong benefits
What I don't love: High annual fee
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the most affordable premium credit card with complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass™ airport lounges.
The $395 annual fee may shock you, but the Capital One Venture X actually offers lounge access at a far lower cost than its competitors. Authorized users under your account also get complimentary memberships to all Capital One lounges — an unprecedented generosity you won't see from any other high-end credit card including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Cardholders get an annual travel credit of up to $300 on travel booked through the Capital One travel portal, and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary worth at least $100 toward travel. New customers can also earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards are very easy to calculate: 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles on all other purchases. They're also very easy to redeem.
Learn more about this card in our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review.
Why I Didn't Recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Amex Platinum Card are two of the best-known travel credit cards in the world. However, both cards charge far higher annual fees than the Capital One Venture X even if their benefits are worth more. For the purposes of this guide, most people's wallets will do best to start with the Capital One Venture X.
What Is the Best Credit Card to Get?
I always say there isn't a magical "best credit card" that works for every person.
Many people prefer no-annual-fee credit cards because they're easy to keep long-term. Other people don't mind paying a hefty annual sum for premium credit cards with airport lounge access because the benefits of luxury and comfort are worth the cost.
Some value travel rewards credit cards, while others prefer to focus on cash-back credit cards.
Wherever you fall on each of these spectrums, I encourage you to hone in on what you really need for your personal situation. If you have kids, you may want to forgo airport lounges in favor of free checked bags. If you travel solo, you may want to prioritize credit cards that offer luxury benefits such as hotel elite status and shopping credits.
Credit Cards for Families
For parents with young children, I recommend credit cards that reward groceries, streaming services, and commuting expenses with flexible points that can be redeemed in many different ways. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express checks all of these boxes.
I also suggest choosing a credit card that offers travel insurance coverage, since little kids often get sick during or right before a big trip. If you have to cancel or reschedule that expensive Disney vacation, it's always nice to recoup some of your nonrefundable expenses. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is my top choice recommendation for this benefit because it's so well-rounded on all of these fronts.
Credit Cards for Young Adults
Young adults in college or early in their careers often find themselves spending a lot of money on rent while dining out with friends or colleagues every night. At the same time, they often value the simplicity of loading a single credit card into Apple Pay and using it for every transaction. The Bilt Mastercard® is perfect for this life stage, with gamified rewards and bonus points on common lifestyle expenses.
If you're a first-time credit card applicant or a student with minimal income, you may want to consider one of the best starter credit cards or the best student credit cards.
When to Pay For Annual Fees
If you're a foodie, you'll want to choose one of the best credit cards for dining, restaurants, and food in general. But if you're more of a homebody, you may want to focus on the best credit cards for buying groceries and the best credit cards for gas purchases.
What to Get If Your Credit is Subpar
If your credit score is lower than you'd like, you may qualify for some of the best credit cards for bad credit or seek a secured credit card, which can help you heal your credit and even earn rewards while you work toward a stronger financial future.
Airline Lounge Access for Infrequent Travelers
It isn't worth paying for airport lounge access via a credit card if you're an infrequent traveler. Instead, pay for a mid-tier travel credit card with a sub-$100 annual fee, and buy lounge day passes as needed. If you find yourself buying more than two lounge passes each year, it might be time to consider an upgrade.
Why You Should Trust Me: How I Chose the Best Credit Cards
Choosing the best credit cards is a momentous task and a responsibility I take very seriously. I regularly evaluate dozens of credit cards available to consumers and business owners, and update this guide on a monthly basis.
In addition to considering my own perspective and consulting with industry colleagues, I also read popular forums such as Reddit and FlyerTalk to see what everyday consumers are saying about different cards.
I evaluated each of the cards in this guide — and screened out many others — against the following criteria:
- Simplicity: All of the cards on this list are easy for consumers to use and understand. While I regularly update several credit card guides for maximizing rewards and benefits, my list of top recommendations is meant to help people like my parents find an easy card to use for everyday purchases.
- Affordability: Most of the credit cards in this guide don't cost you any money to keep. While there's a case to be made for paying a high annual fee when you're getting high value in return, most people dislike the idea of paying money to spend money.
- Value: A good credit card should offer enough value to offset any annual fee several times over. When evaluating no-annual-fee cards, I focused on the ones that provide the best benefits or most generous rewards.
Read Business Insider's guide to points and miles valuations to learn what your credit card rewards are worth, and learn more about how we rate credit cards.
FAQs
What is the very best credit card to get?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best credit cards for people who travel. If you don't want to pay an annual fee, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great choice to add to your wallet.
What is the most prestigious credit card?
One of the most prestigious cards you can get is the Centurion "Black Card" by American Express, an invite-only credit card for select VIPs.
What are the top three credit cards?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Bilt Mastercard® (rates and fees), and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are three of the top credit cards you can get right now. Each card earns generous rewards on everyday expenses like food and travel.
Which credit card is best overall?
The best credit card for overall use should earn at least 1.5% to 2% back on every purchase, or up to 10% back on select bonus categories. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 10 miles per dollar on eligible travel booked through Capital One.
What's the best credit card with no annual fee?
The best no-annual-fee credit cards include the Bilt Mastercard®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Discover it® Cash Back, Citi® Double Cash Card and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. None of these cards charge annual fees, and the Bilt Mastercard® doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases (rates and fees).
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.
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***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 rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.
For a guide to the benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
