Motley Fool Money's 2026 Credit Card Awards

This is the one-card setup most people can live on: unlimited 2% cash rewards everywhere, a $0 annual fee, and a 0% intro APR period for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and 12 months from account opening on purchases. (After the intro period, the go-to rate of 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR applies.) It also bakes in real-life perks, including cellphone protection, when you pay your monthly bill with the card. The mix of simple earning, low upkeep, and practical protections is why it tops our list.

If you want reliable rewards without overthinking categories, this card nails it. Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 3% on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery -- plus 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. That mix of consistent everyday earning, simple redemptions, and no annual fee makes it the strongest all-around cash back card on the market.

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card proves you don't need to pay an annual fee to earn premium-level rewards. It gives you 3X points on big-spend categories such as restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus 1X on other purchases. Add in no foreign transaction fees and a generous welcome bonus, and you've got one of the richest no-annual-fee options available today.

High earning with zero overhead: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 3% on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery, plus 1.5% cash back on all other purchases -- on a card that doesn't charge an annual fee. Easy to carry, easy to maximize.

For frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card hits the sweet spot between luxury and value. It packs in an annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, bonus miles every anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One + Priority Pass), and elevated earn rates -- 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. Even frequent economy travelers can out-earn the fee with routine trips.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card makes it possible for you to take a nearly two-year break from paying credit card interest. In fact, this card offers one of the longest intro APR periods we've seen on purchases and balance transfers -- 0% intro APR for a full 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and 21 months from account opening on purchases. (After the intro period, the go-to rate of 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% Variable APR applies.) And on top of that, you'll pay no annual fee. It's a no-brainer if your focus is on paying debt down or financing a large purchase.

Travel rewards rarely come this easy. The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card earns 3X points on travel and transit, along with 3X on dining, gas, and streaming -- all with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. If you want to travel more and pay less, this card makes it happen.

Planning a large expense? The Wells Fargo Reflect Card extends 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases -- and also on qualifying balance transfers -- so you can spread payments over nearly two years without an annual fee. (After the intro period, the go-to rate of 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% Variable APR applies.) That runway is why it's our pick for purchase financing.

Citi Simplicity® Card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers, which is one of the longest interest-free periods available today. After that, a 17.99% - 28.74% (Variable) APR will apply. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5), which is lower than the fee offered on some other well-known balance transfer cards.

Drivers get to choose how they earn. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose gas & EV charging as your category to earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice (then 3% after year one). You can even change categories month-to-month. You'll also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases and 1% on all other purchases. For anyone who logs serious miles, it's an easy way to turn gas spending into real cash back.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is built for everyday spending -- especially groceries. You'll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) (1% on other purchases). It also comes with a $250 welcome offer after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months and an intro APR period, making it an easy win for households that want rich rewards where they spend most. Terms apply.

If most of your shopping runs through Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime Visa turns that into value. Earn 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership. You'll also get 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% all other purchases. It's a clean, high-return fit for Amazon households.

With the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, restaurants earn unlimited 3X points, and the same 3X rate applies to travel, gas/EV charging, transit, popular streaming, and select phone plans. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, it's just as useful at the bistro down the street as it is abroad. A practical, high-earning pick for frequent diners.

For people who spend more on experiences than stuff, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card stands out. You'll earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and for popular streaming services, plus 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. From concerts to nights out, it's built for making memories -- and earning rewards while you do.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card turns everyday spending into miles you can use for future Delta trips. It also includes practical travel features that make flying feel easier -- from booking to boarding -- and can help trim costs over time. If you're loyal to Delta and want a simple way to earn toward the next getaway without overthinking categories, this is a clean, low-friction fit. Terms apply.

If you book even one hotel stay a year, value shows up immediately. With 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com and 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations and you've got a card that pays back on the trips you're already taking.

Simple earn, flexible use. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card gives 2X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, with straightforward redemptions or transfers. If you want travel experiences without managing rotating categories, this is an easy long-term fit.

A friendly learning curve with real earnings. 5% cash back in different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate and 1% everywhere else. As new cardholders, students also get 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months (a 16.99% - 25.99% Variable APR applies after) and Discover's signature Cashback Match after the first year -- all with no annual fee. It's a strong on-ramp to good credit habits.

You won't find many no annual fee cards with a bonus this solid. Earn 25,000 points (worth $250) after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. And with no foreign transaction fee, it's a simple way to earn travel rewards from day one.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card keeps it refreshingly simple. 2% cash rewards on every purchase, no caps, no categories, no nonsense. Paired with no annual fee and a 0% intro APR (for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and 12 months from account opening on purchases; then a 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR applies), it's the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it rewards card.

Most secured cards don't offer rewards -- this one does. Put down a refundable deposit starting at $200, earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and work toward upgrading to an unsecured line. With no annual fee, it's a smart way to rebuild credit and earn while you do it.

If you're already a Costco member, this card amplifies your savings. Earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants and travel, including Costco Travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on other purchases. Since there's no annual fee, it's a natural fit for Costco loyalists.

For small business owners, few cards return more value per dollar. Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year, 2% at the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, and 1% on all other purchases. With no annual fee and powerful purchase protections, it's built to support and reward your daily operations.

Amex's app makes card management feel premium. Track spending and rewards, pay your bill, redeem points, freeze/unfreeze your card, and load Amex Offers -- all with real-time alerts on iOS and Android. The feature depth and polish reduce friction whether you're maximizing benefits or just checking a charge. For day-to-day control, it's the smoothest experience we've seen.