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Our experts searched through offers, crunched numbers, and came up with a list of their top credit card recommendations. Below, we've listed the best credit cards of 2023 that we would (and often do!) recommend to our closest friends and family.
Decide which type of card you want. It's less about the cards themselves, and more about you. What do you need out of this card? What are the must-haves -- and the not-under-any-circumstances?
This will narrow down your credit card offers considerably, so it makes sense to do this first.
Figure out the features that are most important to you. This will depend on the type of card you're choosing. Let's say you need a balance transfer card. The features to look at would be the length of each card's balance transfer offer and its balance transfer fees.
Check for any annual fees on the cards you're comparing. If you're stuck between two credit cards that work for you, one of them may have a cheaper annual fee.
Use secondary features as your tiebreaker. These are the features that aren't quite as important but still have value. Secondary features could include sign-up bonuses or a FICO® Score for free.
Read the fine print. All credit cards display common card features in a standardized format. Keep an eye out for the following fees and compare them to other cards: balance transfer, cash advance, late payment, and foreign transaction.
Great for: Bonus category cash back
On Discover's Secure Website.
On Discover's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Cashback Match
Includes a robust rewards program and rich sign-up bonus offer that has unlimited upside. Somehow this card also packs in a great intro APR offer for no annual fee. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR
Rewards
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months
$200 cash rewards offer
A standout cash back card with one of the highest unlimited rewards rates we've come across. The inclusion of a hefty welcome offer and versatile 0% intro APR offer are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Great for: Long 0% intro APR offer
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
17.99% - 29.99% variable APR
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
A clear leader with a 0% intro APR offer that is among the longest we've come across. Read Full Review
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Great for: U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
18.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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.
1% - 6% cash back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
The U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations rewards are clear standouts, in addition to a big welcome offer and a nice 0% intro APR offer. Read Full Review
Great for: 0% intro APR balance transfer offer
On Citi's Secure Website.
On Citi's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months
Regular APR
17.99% - 28.74% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
A hard-to-beat 0% intro APR credit card that's a fit for cardholders wanting to pay off debt faster with balance transfer strategies and/or finance the cost of a purchase and temporarily avoid costly interest charges. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
1.5% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
This card includes a lineup of features that makes it a great option for one-card-wallet simplicity. The unlimited cash back makes it easy to earn rewards. The sign-up bonus and long 0% intro APR offer are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Great for: Travel sign up bonus
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 bonus points
With a big 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. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited points in certain categories
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases, 12 months from account opening
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases
1X - 3X points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 bonus points
This card immediately moves to the top of our rankings for no annual fee rewards cards thanks to its excellent welcome bonus, earn unlimited 3x points on a variety of categories, and cell phone protection. Read Full Review
Great for: Balance transfers
On Discover's Secure Website.
On Discover's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
Rewards 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Cashback Match
Get the best of both balance transfer and cash back worlds with this card. Not only do you get a great intro APR on balance transfers, but you also get a rich cash back program. Read Full Review
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Great for: One-card wallet
On Citi's Secure Website.
On Citi's Secure Website.
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Rewards 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
Up to 2% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
Earn up to 2% cash back on 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
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Premium travel rewards
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
2x - 10x miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer 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.
75,000 miles
This is a strong premium level travel card with a big sign-up bonus, robust rewards program, and rich travel credits. Read Full Review
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Great for: Dining rewards with no annual fee
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Rewards 4x points on dining, 2x points on groceries, gas, and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
20,000 points
A rare, great pick that offers lucrative rewards (up to 4x points), a big bonus, and a competitive 0% intro APR offer, all somehow with no annual fee.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Great for: Bad credit
On Discover's Secure Website.
On Discover's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months
Regular APR
27.74% Variable APR
Rewards 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
1% - 2% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Cashback Match
This card is a great place to start when building your credit history. It offers perks rarely found in secured cards, including cash back, no annual fee, and Discover's innovative sign-up bonus. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Great for: Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
17.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
Rewards 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 other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of your account opening
$200 cash rewards
This student credit card has it all. You'll have a hard time finding a student card with a cash back program this lucrative to go along with a sign-up bonus. Read Full Review
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Bonus category cash back |
|
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Long 0% intro APR offer |
|
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: 0% intro APR balance transfer offer |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Travel sign up bonus |
|
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Unlimited points in certain categories |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Balance transfers |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: One-card wallet |
|
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Premium travel rewards |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Dining rewards with no annual fee |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Bad credit |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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.
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. |
Great For: Students |
Though there are many different types of credit cards, they all fall into certain categories based on their features and rewards programs. Here are the top credit cards and credit card offers right now within each category.
The cost of a card comes in three forms: the annual fee to just have the card, the fees and penalties for missed or late payments, and the interest charges. . . Some cards have forgiveness for a single late payment. Some have no annual fee. Some charge low interest. Try to find cards that have all three.
D'Arcy Becker, Ph.D., Department Chairperson and Professor of Accounting, on shoppers choosing the right card.
These cards are best suited to people who travel at least a few times per year. Many of these cards charge annual fees, so you want to make sure you're earning enough in rewards to at least make up for what you're paying to own it.
With travel cards, you can redeem your points or miles for free or discounted travel. There are also quite a few top travel credit cards that offer extra perks, such as free access to airport lounges, hotel upgrades, and travel insurance. The best airline credit cards, hotel credit cards, and general travel credit cards would all fall under this category.
The best credit cards for travel are:
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best travel rewards credit cards
This category includes every credit card that earns purchase rewards. With so many to choose from, you'll find a diverse mix of the best credit cards for rewards that earn cash back, travel points, and store rewards.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best rewards credit cards
Cash back cards are best for those who want a versatile card you can use for everyday spending. If you want a card with bonus categories, look for one that aligns well with your spending habits.
With the best cash back credit card, you earn rewards that can be redeemed as cash. Depending on the card, you may be able to redeem your cash back as a statement credit towards your credit card balance, a deposit to a bank account, or as a check. You'll find cards that earn the same flat rate on purchases as well as cards that earn extra in bonus categories among the best cash back cards.
Compare credit cards: Check out The Ascent's best cash back credit cards
These credit cards are best suited for those who are trying to pay off credit card debt. Ideally, you can find one with an introductory APR that's long enough to enable you to pay off your full balance. But you should note that you can't transfer a balance to a new card with the same issuer. And any balance transfer card will charge you a one-time fee for making the transfer.
Many of the best balance transfer credit cards have a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and intro periods can last for well over a year. If you want to refinance credit card debt and save money on interest, a balance transfer card is ideal.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best balance transfer credit cards
The best credit card to have for beginners accept applicants with no credit history, don't charge unnecessary fees, and have educational features to help you improve your credit, such as free credit score monitoring. For those who are enrolled at college or university, student credit cards are a great first step into the world of credit.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best credit cards for building credit
...The key is to not overspend, pay off the balance each month to avoid interest and fees, and choose a card that offers the best benefits for your lifestyle. By being a convenience user, you [can] reap the benefits of credit cards.
William Hippler, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Finance, on credit card misconceptions.
Some credit cards tend to offer higher credit limits than most. These high limit credit cards let you spend more, and they can also help you protect your credit by making it easier to keep your credit utilization ratio low. You typically need excellent credit to qualify.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best high limit credit cards
Cards in this category have a 0% intro APR that applies to purchases. They're a smart choice if you need to buy something expensive, but you can't afford to pay in full upfront. The most popular 0% intro APR credit cards also often have those intro deals for a year or longer.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best 0% intro APR credit cards
These cards can be a good starting point for those trying to establish a credit history for the first time or rebuild their credit score if they've managed credit poorly in the past. Annual fees are more common with these cards and rewards are rare, so they're generally not a good fit for those who wouldn't have any trouble applying for credit cards that fall into the categories listed above.
You need to pay a security deposit to open a secured credit card, which is typically used for rebuilding or building credit. The security deposit is often (but not always) equal to your starting credit limit. Even with the best credit cards for bad credit, high-quality secured credit cards usually graduate to unsecured cards. This means you get your deposit back if you make enough on-time payments.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best secured credit cards
Looking to rebuild credit?: Check out The Ascent's best credit cards for bad credit
If you're in college, you can get started on building your credit with the best student credit card. Even though college students are the primary audience for these credit cards, there are some excellent perks to be found with them. Some cards include free credit score tracking and money back for good grades.
Older adults looking to build a credit history should check out secured credit cards.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best student credit cards
Business credit cards are designed with business owners in mind. This type of credit card offers higher credit limits than consumer credit cards to accommodate business spending. Many of them also have bonus categories to fit typical business spending habits. For example, a business card may offer bonus rewards on advertising, shipping, or office supply store purchases.
In addition, a business card can help you build your business credit score. Just like your own credit score is a rating of your personal creditworthiness, businesses have credit scores that rate their creditworthiness. By using a business credit card and paying on time, you can raise your business credit score. That can help you qualify for business financing in the future.
Your business doesn't need to be a separate entity to qualify for a business credit card. It's possible to open a business credit card with a sole proprietorship. No matter what type of business you have, it's smart to compare credit card offers.
Compare more picks: Check out The Ascent's best business credit cards
Want cashback on business purchases? Check out The Ascent's Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express review.
Many chain stores, from Macy's to Target to Lowe's, offer their own credit cards. Sometimes these credit cards are accepted everywhere, but often they're only for use in-store. Store credit cards usually come with exclusive discounts and rewards that can only be used at that store. Make sure to read the fine print when you apply for a credit card, especially with any 0% intro APR offers, as they can involve deferred interest, which is tricky and can lead to hefty surprise interest charges.
Opening one of these cards is best if you frequently shop at a particular retailer. But if you only shop there once or twice per year, it may not be worth it.
Although a credit card isn't a necessity, there are several ways it can help you financially. Our credit card guide could help you learn these important things:
Expect credit card companies to come courting you hard, with new offers, points, and rewards. But proceed with caution! There may be hidden fees, higher interest rates, or other catches. It pays to read the fine print.
Bill Maurer, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Money, Technology, and Financial Inclusion on current credit card trends consumers should be aware of.
You should stick to one credit card if:
You should carry multiple credit cards if you want more card benefits and you're confident in your ability to manage everything. There are some big advantages to having multiple cards:
Your credit score plays a large role in which credit cards you can get. If you have a low credit score and you work on raising it, that will open up more credit card options for you.
Here's the best advice you can follow to improve your credit score.
You're legally entitled to a free annual credit report from each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to request it.
Once you have your credit reports, review them for errors that could be damaging your credit score. If you find any errors, visit the website of the credit bureau that issued the report to file a dispute.
The easiest way to improve your credit is by using a credit card and paying the bill on time. If you don't have a credit card, look for the top credit cards aimed at consumers in your position.
If you don't have much credit history yet, the best credit cards for beginners would be ideal. If you're rebuilding credit from issues on your credit history, then secured credit cards are the most suitable option.
The amount of your credit that you use impacts your credit score. Say you have a card with a $1,000 credit limit. If the balance is $500, that would put your credit utilization ratio at 50%.
A lower credit utilization helps your credit score. As a rule of thumb, aim to stay under 30% credit utilization at all times. It's good for your credit, and as an added perk, it helps you stay out of credit card debt.
Learn your credit card's due date and always make your payment on time or early. Each on-time payment improves your payment history, which is the biggest factor in your credit score. You may want to set automatic payments so you don't miss any.
It's also recommended that you pay off your credit card every month. While this isn't necessary for your credit score, it's a way to avoid interest charges on your credit card purchases.
Compare credit card bonuses, rewards, fees, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Annual percentage rate (APR): The annual percentage rate is charged for carrying a balance on a credit card, expressed as an annual percentage. With credit cards, the APR is the same as the interest rate.
Balance: The amount owed on a credit card, including all unpaid transactions and fees. The balance at the end of a statement period is called the statement balance.
Balance transfer: Moving a balance from one credit card to another. This is usually done when the new card offers a lower APR. Not every credit card offers balance transfers, and many of the cards with this feature charge a balance transfer fee.
Cash advance: Withdrawing cash from a credit card, most often through cash advance checks, using the card at an ATM, or by wiring money with the card. Cash advances usually have a higher APR and start accruing interest immediately, so it's a poor way to use a credit card.
Credit card: A credit card is a revolving line of credit issued by a bank and connected to a revolving line of credit. The cardholder can use their credit card for purchases and possibly other types of transactions, although this depends on the card.
Credit limit: The credit card's spending limit. This can vary based on the type of transaction. On credit cards that offer cash advances, there is typically a lower credit limit for cash advances than for purchases. A transaction that would exceed a card's credit limit will be declined unless the cardholder has opted to allow over-the-limit transactions (and any potential fees that come with them).
Credit score: A credit score is a rating of a consumer's creditworthiness. The score indicates how likely it is that they will make bill payments on time and repay what they borrow. Credit scores are calculated based on the consumer's financial history.
Interest: A fee charged for borrowing money. The APR determines how much interest a credit card company can charge on balances. Use our interest rate calculator to get a sense of how much interest adds to your monthly bill.
Minimum payment: The minimum amount a cardholder can pay by the due date to remain current on their credit card bill and avoid a late fee.
The best credit card for many people is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It will get you a 2% cash rewards rate on purchases, making it one of the most lucrative and flexible credit cards. The $0 annual fee and lengthy 0% intro APR offer are also a big draw.
While this is an easy pick to recommend for many people, it's important to know that the market is packed with plenty of the best credit cards of 2023 (included on this shortlist and not). The best credit card to have will depend on your unique situation.
A credit card allows you to pay for purchases by borrowing money. The maximum amount you can borrow at one time is called your credit limit. The money you've already borrowed is your balance, and the amount you have left to borrow is your available credit.
At the end of each billing cycle, the card issuer will send you a statement listing the transactions you made. It will list your total balance, as well as the minimum payment due during that billing cycle. You must pay at least the minimum amount by the due date to avoid a late fee -- although it's a good idea to pay more than the minimum if you can afford it.
Credit cards are most often used for purchases, but many of them can also be used for other types of transactions, such as cash advances and balance transfers.
The right number of credit cards for most people is one. That's particularly important for cardholders using credit cards for rewards, since the juice may not always be worth the squeeze when carrying multiple cards and using each to optimize rewards for each spending category.
Whether your credit card helps or hurts you all depends on how you use it. To ensure that your credit card provides value and doesn't get you in debt, here are a few key guidelines:
Credit card interest is the fee a card issuer can charge when you borrow money with your credit card. The amount of interest charged depends on the card's annual percentage rate (APR). Many credit cards have different APRs for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances. Most credit cards have a variable APR. A variable APR is an interest rate that can change over time.
The type of transaction also determines when your card issuer starts charging you interest. For example, cash advances almost always start racking up interest immediately. Purchases are different. Just about any top-rated credit card will only charge interest for purchases that aren't paid off by the payment due date. Savvy consumers take advantage of this, pay in full, and never have to deal with credit card interest.
D'Arcy Becker
Department Chairperson and Professor of Accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Bill Maurer, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Money, Technology, and Financial Inclusion at the University of California, Irvine
William Hippler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance at the University of La Verne
Our Credit Cards Experts
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