- The Ascent
- Best Credit Cards
Best Credit Cards of August 2020
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On our shortlist of the best credit cards, you'll find market-leading picks with perks that include lucrative rewards programs, big sign up bonuses, long 0% intro APR offers to avoid interest, and no annual fees. Add up the value of these benefits and it's not uncommon for the best credit card offers to pack in upwards of $1,000 in value. That's why we think it's smart to keep a credit card in your wallet. But to take advantage of the wide array of credit card benefits, you need to know where to get started. We've crunched the numbers on hundreds of credit cards and included only our select few top picks below. Read on to learn more about the hand-picked credit card offers that landed on our shortlist.
The Ascent's picks for the best credit cards for August 2020:
- Bonus category cash back: Discover it® Cash Back
- Unlimited cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Balance transfers and cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases: Wells Fargo Platinum card
- Bonus and cash rewards flexibility: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
- U.S. supermarkets and gas: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Travel sign up bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Premium travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Travel rewards with no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
- Travel and dining: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
- Unlimited travel miles: Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Student cash back: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Building credit with cash back: Discover it® Secured
- Limited or no credit history: Petal Visa® Credit Card
Best credit card offers for August 2020
Great for: Bonus category cash back Discover it® Cash Back
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Reigns supreme with one of the highest cash back rates on the market. No annual fee and a long 0% intro APR offer round out this card’s stacked feature set. Read Full Review
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories you activate ($1,500 quarterly spending cap), 1% back on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 14 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 14 months
Ongoing APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
Double cash back in the first year -- that's worth up to 10% back, FICO score for free
Highlights
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
Great for: Unlimited cash back Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
This hard-to-beat offer includes unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a nice sized sign-up bonus, and a long 0% intro APR offer on purchases. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5% cash back, 5% cash back at grocery stores in the first year ($12,000 spending cap), no minimum redemption
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
$200 after spending $500 within three months, free credit score monitoring
Highlights
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No annual fee
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Great for: Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A perennial interest-avoiding favorite with a long 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers. Read Full Review
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Ongoing APR
14.74% - 24.74%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
FICO score for free
Highlights
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Balance transfer credit cards
Great for: Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A perennial interest-avoiding favorite with a long 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers. Read Full Review
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Ongoing APR
14.74% - 24.74%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
FICO score for free
Highlights
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Great for: Balance transfers and cash back Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Earn up to 2% on all purchases - 1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay the minimum each month. Add that to no annual fee and an 18 month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers and this card is a winner. Read Full Review
Rewards
2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Ongoing APR
13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Bonuses & Perks
FICO score for free
Highlights
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Great for: Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases Wells Fargo Platinum card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A clear standout card in its category with a long 0% intro APR for 18 months on both qualifying balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, and a FICO® Score for free. Read Full Review
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR
16.49% to 24.49%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
FICO® score for free, mobile phone protection
Highlights
- Pay down balances instead of interest with Wells Fargo’s longest intro APR
- $0 Annual Fee
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum card
- Easy access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
- Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions
- Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Wells Fargo Platinum card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Cash back credit cards
Great for: Bonus category cash back Discover it® Cash Back
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Reigns supreme with one of the highest cash back rates on the market. No annual fee and a long 0% intro APR offer round out this card’s stacked feature set. Read Full Review
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories you activate ($1,500 quarterly spending cap), 1% back on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 14 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 14 months
Ongoing APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
Double cash back in the first year -- that's worth up to 10% back, FICO score for free
Highlights
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
Great for: Unlimited cash back Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
This hard-to-beat offer includes unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a nice sized sign-up bonus, and a long 0% intro APR offer on purchases. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5% cash back, 5% cash back at grocery stores in the first year ($12,000 spending cap), no minimum redemption
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
$200 after spending $500 within three months, free credit score monitoring
Highlights
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No annual fee
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Great for: Balance transfers and cash back Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Earn up to 2% on all purchases - 1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay the minimum each month. Add that to no annual fee and an 18 month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers and this card is a winner. Read Full Review
Rewards
2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Ongoing APR
13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Bonuses & Perks
FICO score for free
Highlights
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Great for: Bonus and cash rewards flexibility Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Includes a market-leading bonus in the no-annual fee category and a flexible cash rewards program that enables you to earn premium cash back in a category of your choice. Plus, the long 0% intro APR offer makes this card a standout among its peers. Read Full Review
Rewards
3% cash back on gas or in your choice category, 2% at grocery stores & wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined bonus category quarterly purchases), 1% on all else.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles on transfers made within first 60 days
Ongoing APR
13.99%-23.99%
Bonuses & Perks
$200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, 25% to 75% more rewards for Preferred Rewards members
Highlights
- No annual fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
- No expiration on rewards
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
Great for: U.S. supermarkets and gas Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
This card is a triple hitter with stellar cash back rates -- particularly at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations, a big welcome offer, and a competitive 0% intro APR offer. Read Full Review
Rewards
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets ($6,000 spending cap per year), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, 1% back on all else
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
13.99%-23.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
$250 statement credit after spending $1,000 within three months, get free 2-day shipping on eligible items at a growing network of 100+ online stores with ShopRunner.
Highlights
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 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.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee and no interest.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- $95 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
0% intro APR credit cards
Great for: Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases Wells Fargo Platinum card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A clear standout card in its category with a long 0% intro APR for 18 months on both qualifying balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, and a FICO® Score for free. Read Full Review
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR
16.49% to 24.49%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
FICO® score for free, mobile phone protection
Highlights
- Pay down balances instead of interest with Wells Fargo’s longest intro APR
- $0 Annual Fee
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum card
- Easy access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
- Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions
- Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Wells Fargo Platinum card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Great for: Balance transfers and 0% intro APR for purchases Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A perennial interest-avoiding favorite with a long 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers. Read Full Review
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 18 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Ongoing APR
14.74% - 24.74%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
FICO score for free
Highlights
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Travel credit cards
Great for: Travel sign up bonus Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
With a leading sign-up bonus, the sky’s the limit for this top-rated travel rewards card. Plus, the premium points program for travel and dining make it a no brainer for travel enthusiasts everywhere. The limited time offer of up to 5x points makes it even more compelling. Read Full Review
Rewards
2x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases. 25% more points for travel booked through Chase's portal.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A, N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A, N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within three months -- worth $750 of travel redeemed through Chase
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That's 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Great for: Premium travel rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
The sign-up bonus, premium rewards for travel & dining, and wide array of valuable travel credits make this a compelling offer that will offset the cost of the annual fee for many. The limited time offer of up to 10x points makes it even more compelling. Read Full Review
Rewards
3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A, N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A, N/A
Ongoing APR
16.99%-23.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Worth $750 redeemed for travel through Chase, up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Highlights
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- One Year Complimentary Lyft Pink ($199 minimum value). Complimentary DashPass subscription from DoorDash after activating by 12/31/21.
Great for: Travel rewards with no annual fee Discover it® Miles
Rating image, 3.5 out of 5 stars.
3.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A no-nonsense, no-annual-fee travel rewards card built for occasional travelers. The unlimited 1.5 Miles takes the hassle out of tracking categories and all of your miles get matched in the first year. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 Miles per $1
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 14 months
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 14 months
Ongoing APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
Double Miles in the first year, FICO score for free
Highlights
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover will automatically match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Great for: Travel and dining Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
This no-annual-fee rewards card enables you to earn 3X points for dining out, travel, gas stations, and more, plus a big sign-up bonus. The addition of a 0% Intro APR offer makes it even more surprising that there's no annual fee. Read Full Review
Rewards
3X points for eating out and ordering in, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, and more, 1x points on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months on qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR
14.49%-24.99%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, mobile phone protection
Highlights
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Great for: Unlimited travel miles Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
Unlimited 2X miles, TSA Pre✓® credits, and a big sign-up bonus make this credit card one of the best travel companions on the market. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
Annual Fee
$95, annually
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
17.24%, 21.99% or 24.49% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months, equal to $500 in travel, up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓
Highlights
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 15+ leading travel loyalty programs
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Rewards credit cards
Great for: Travel and dining Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
This no-annual-fee rewards card enables you to earn 3X points for dining out, travel, gas stations, and more, plus a big sign-up bonus. The addition of a 0% Intro APR offer makes it even more surprising that there's no annual fee. Read Full Review
Rewards
3X points for eating out and ordering in, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, and more, 1x points on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months on qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR
14.49%-24.99%, variable
Bonuses & Perks
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, mobile phone protection
Highlights
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Student credit cards
Great for: Student cash back Discover it® Student Cash Back
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A student card that rivals some of the best cash back cards on the market. It comes packed with a robust cash back rewards program, no annual fee, and even includes a credit for good grades. Read Full Review
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories you activate ($1,500 quarterly spending cap), 1% back on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months
Ongoing APR
12.99% - 21.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
Double cash back in the first year -- that's worth up to 10% back, FICO score for free
Highlights
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Good Grades Rewards: $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
Credit cards for bad credit
Great for: Building credit with cash back Discover it® Secured
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Need to build your credit history? This card is a great place to start. It offers perks rarely found in secured cards including cash back, no annual fee, and double cash back in the first year. Read Full Review
Rewards
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in purchases each quarter, 1% cash back on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months
Ongoing APR
22.99% Variable
Bonuses & Perks
Double cash back in the first year, FICO score for free
Highlights
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- It's a real credit card. You can build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, debit and prepaid cards can't help you build a credit history.
- Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Great for: Limited or no credit history Petal Visa® Credit Card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
People with no or limited credit histories will be hard pressed to beat it. The rewards program and lack of fees are clear standouts in the category. Read Full Review
Rewards
1.5% cash back after making 12 on-time monthly payments. 1% cash back on purchases right away
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
12.99% – 29.49%
Bonuses & Perks
$500 to $10,000 credit limits, pre-approval decisions without impacting your credit score
Highlights
- Up to 1.5% cash back after making 12 on-time monthly payments. 1% cash back on purchases right away
- No fees whatsoever. No late fee, international fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee
- Build credit alongside tens of thousands of Petal Card members
- Cash flow technology can help applicants without credit history get approved
- $500 - $10,000 credit limits
- Petal's mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, track your spending, and automate payments
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- No deposits required.