Credit cards can play an important role in how you make purchases and manage your finances. They can be used for everyday purchases like groceries or gas, as well as big-ticket items like vacations. And many credit cards offer you extra benefits so you can earn and save more, and lead your desired lifestyle.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/capital_one_quicksilver_FINAL-f9e7d315b0f945098842cf4c7e282638.png)
To find the best credit cards for our list, we evaluated each card based on its fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, introductory offers, features, and benefits.
Best Credit Cards 2024
- Best Overall, Best Cash Back Credit Card: Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best Travel, Best Rewards Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best Airline Credit Card: United℠ Explorer
- Best Hotel Credit Card: World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Best Balance Transfer Credit Card: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card
- Best Student Credit Card: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
- Best Business Credit Card: Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
- Best Groceries Credit Card: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best Online Shopping Credit Card: Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best Secured Credit Card: Capital One Platinum SecuredBEST OVERALL, BEST CASH BACK CREDIT CARD
Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Capital One® Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is our best overall credit card and best for cash back because of its combination of low fees, low interest, and high rewards earning rate. With no annual fee, you don't need to worry about making sure you're extracting maximum value from the card every year to make it worth it.
The absence of a foreign transaction fee makes this a rare cash back credit card that’s worth bringing on a trip abroad and helps make a compelling case that if you're only going to carry one card, this should be it.
BEST TRAVEL, BEST REWARDS CREDIT CARDChase Sapphire Reserve®
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sapphire_reserve_card-3ee2c82770004c248bb081783fe58fee.png)
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is our best credit card for travel and best for rewards because of its competitive one-time point bonus, high rewards earning rate, and its suitcase-full of travel perks and benefits. Points are worth 50% more if you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and you can transfer points on a 1:1 basis to a long list of eligible hotel and airline partners.1
While the annual fee is high, if you're an avid traveler, the $300 annual travel credit can help justify the expense. Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers numerous other premium travel-related benefits and flexible redemption options through Chase's Ultimate Rewards program.
BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARDUnited℠ Explorer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/united_explorer_card-5c78426346e0fb0001edc7cc.png)
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Offer ends 1/24/2024.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
Based on our analysis, the United Explorer Card offers the one of the highest value per mile earned of any airline credit card, and miles can be redeemed in multiple ways, including for flights on member participating airlines in its Star Alliance, one of the largest global airline partnerships. You'll need to be committed to United as your primary airline in order to maximize the benefit from the card.
The card's compelling introductory bonus really adds to the card's value because of the high value placed on redeeming those miles with United. The $95 annual fee is in line with its competitors and is waived the first year. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which helps make it an excellent choice for international travel.2
United has announced that it has permanently eliminated reservation change fees, which should greatly reduce any traveler anxiety around booking future award travel with earned miles and make the introductory bonus on this card that much more appealing.
BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARDWorld of Hyatt Credit Card
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/world-of-hyatt-card-5b1761ebfb8b459eb0c02688d2a43dd8.png)
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
Our choice for the best overall credit card for hotels is the World of Hyatt Credit Card because it offers an attractive introductory one-time bonus of 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. World of Hyatt cardmembers also earn an automatic award night at a category 1-4 Hyatt property upon each anniversary, which alone can justify the card's modest annual fee of $95.3
As for the World of Hyatt Credit Card's rewards earning rate, cardmembers can enjoy 4 Bonus points per $1 spent on purchases at all Hyatt hotels. Plus, 5 Base points for Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships. Plus, earn 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Investopedia values World of Hyatt points higher than any other hotel brand.
BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARDCiti® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Citi-Diamond-Preferred-999ec52e260a4c5e8dd59896787ca6f6.jpg)
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent choice for transferring a balance. It offers a 0% introductory rate on purchases for 12 months and 0% on balance transfers for 21 months.4
Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening and incur a 5% fee (min $5) of the amount transferred. After the promotion expires, the interest rate reverts to a variable APR ranging from 18.24% to 28.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. The card does not charge an annual fee.
BEST STUDENT CREDIT CARDBank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/bank-of-america-travel-rewards-student-credit-card-aec6d7960d5e4352a6719ae96c34f165.jpg)
25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening - which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is our pick for the best student credit card because of the high earning rate on its rewards program that you can then redeem for all sorts of travel expenses.
It also has a long introductory APR on purchases and no annual fee, which add to the card's strong rating. Plus, the lack of foreign transaction fees makes this an ideal card for student travel outside the U.S. The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card also offers excellent credit education and monitoring services.
BEST BUSINESS CREDIT CARDInk Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ink-business-preferred-1f8a7a9d80f140a3b043ceca5d1b506c.png)
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is the best card for business owners because of its earning power. You'll earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 you spend each year in combined purchases of travel, shipping, online advertising, and internet, cable, and phone services. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within three months. That's worth $1,000 in cash back or $1,250 in travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.5
Points earned with this card can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, redeemed for cash and gift cards, or used to book travel with a 25% bonus through the Chase travel portal. Employee cards are available at no extra cost, and complimentary tools allow you to stay on top of your business. These tools include fraud protection, purchase protection, personalized account alerts, and more.
BEST GROCERIES CREDIT CARDBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/BCPIMageFinal-d116ee37727341969313037f74b3087a.png)
Earn $250 Back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $250 back in the form of a statement credit.
- WHY WE CHOSE THIS CARD
- PROS AND CONS
Grocery shopping is more rewarding with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. You can earn a full 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back on eligible transit and U.S. gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases. Plus, you'll earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 within six months.6
New cardholders can also use the 0% APR introductory offer on purchases for 12 months. There is a $95 annual fee, but it is waived the first year. So, you can enjoy the cash back features of this card during that period to experience its benefits before paying an annual fee in year two.
BEST ONLINE SHOPPING CREDIT CARDCapital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/capital-one-savorone-cash-rewards-credit-card-ec145eeabcd74fceb2bf6a64b2d83512.png)
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- WHY WE CHOSE IT
- PROS AND CONS
The Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for shopping online, including groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and take out food as well as for charging online entertainment streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and Hulu. Specifically, it earns a full 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and on grocery store purchases, plus 1% on all other spending. So, you can earn extra cash back rewards whether you're shopping online, out with friends, or enjoying a quiet night at home.
New cardmembers receive a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within three months. Plus, there is no annual fee, so all of the cash back that you earn is yours to keep. Travelers will love that there are no foreign transaction fees, so there are no surprises when making international purchases.7
BEST SECURED CREDIT CARDCapital One Platinum Secured
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/capital-one-platinum-secured-fb1ca11e1f9345aab3480d76e456e9ea.png)
- WHY WE CHOSE THIS CARD
- PROS AND CONS
The Capital One Platinum Secured Card is Investopedia's choice for best secured card due to its lack of an annual fee and its security deposit flexibility, allowing customers to make installment deposits over time rather than all upfront. Capital One also provides automatic credit line increases over time with responsible card use and offers an array of non-secured card options that customers can consider once they have built up their credit scores. No annual fee makes the Capital One Platinum Secured Card an affordable on-ramp to establishing a positive credit history.
Final Verdict
Credit cards have a wide range of fees, interest rates, benefits, promotions, welcome offers, and more. Because each credit card is different, finding the right one depends on your budget, how much you spend and where, and what benefits are important to you. While some people avoid paying annual fees, many are willing to do so if the benefits far exceed what they pay each year.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is our top choice for the best credit card because it offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a $200 welcome bonus that is earned after spending just $500 within three months.
Compare the Best Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Top Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardBest Overall Credit Card | $0 | 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Best for Travel Credit Card | $550 | Earn 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards®. Earn 5x total points on flights and 3x on other travel worldwide. Earn 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardBest Cash Back Credit Card | $0 | 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| United℠ ExplorerBest Airline Credit Card | $95 | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi, and other United charges. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services. 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
| World of HyattBest Hotel Credit Card | $95 | Earn 4 Bonus points per $1 spent on purchases at all Hyatt hotels. Plus, 5 Base points for Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships. Plus, earn 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit CardBest Balance Transfer Credit Card | $0 | 0% for 21 months balance transfer |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards for StudentsBest Student Credit Card | $0 | 1.5 points for every $1 spent |
| Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit CardBest Business Credit Card | $95 | 3 points per $1 on first $150,000 spent on eligible purchases |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Best Groceries Credit Card | $95 | Earn 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases) |
| Capital One SavorOne Rewards CardBest Online Shopping Credit Card | $0 | Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®Best Rewards Credit Card | $550 | Earn 10X total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards®. Earn 5X total points on flights and 3X on other travel worldwide. Earn 3X points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
| Capital One Platinum SecuredBest Secured Credit Card | $0 | Flexible and inexpensive with lower security deposit requirement compared to other secured cards, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Credit Card?
What Credit Card Is Best for Me?
What Credit Scores Are Required?
Is It Possible to Qualify for a Credit Card With Bad Credit?
What Types of Rewards Do Credit Cards Offer?
What Are Common Credit Card Benefits?
Methodology
We constantly monitor credit card offers from card-issuer websites and publicly available sources to find the best credit cards for our readers. Each credit card is evaluated based on its fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, introductory offers, features, and benefits so that we can determine a winner for each category. Card issuers update their cards on a regular basis, and when that happens, we update our card listings, reviews, and recommendations so our readers have the most reliable information and advice. You can also read the full version of our methodology for a more in-depth look at how we assess cards and award them the best in various categories.
Ben Woolsey is Investopedia's Associate Editorial Director for financial products. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including marketing for banking and financial institutions such as Associates First Capital and Bank One. Prior to Investopedia, he managed credit card content and earned media for CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com.