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Looking for a new credit card? It's key to know what credit card companies expect from you and what you hope to get from them. Usually, companies ask that you meet certain credit standards and make timely payments once you're approved.
On the other hand, as a cardholder, you might be looking for a credit card that not only helps you build or improve your credit but also offers cashback or other rewards. In essence, the relationship between you and your credit card issuer is a two-way street, but arguably, you stand to gain more. And remember, the most important factor that determines what kind of credit card you can get is your personal credit history.
If you are wondering which credit card is right for me, read on. Before you scour through the multitude of potential credit card opportunities, you will want to understand your own credit history and credit score so you can look for cards where you meet the requirements are for approval. If you apply for several cards willy-nilly, you are likely to damage your FICO® credit score by applying for cards you do not qualify for or, upon further review, do not want. Creditworthiness typically falls into five categories: credit-building, poor credit, fair credit, good credit, and excellent credit.
Best Credit Cards
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
- Cash Back
- 1-3%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to modify your rewards categories each month up to $2,500 of combined purchases made each calendar quarter. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 18.74-28.74%
- $200 online cash rewards bonus offer
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
- Cash Back
- 5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Savor Rewards card features an unlimited 3% back on entertainment, dining, eligible streaming services and grocery stores. For other purchases, you get 1% back. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 19.24-29.24%
- Rewards never expire
- 5% cash back on hotel and cars booked through Capital One Travel
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Cash Back
- 1.5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
With Chase, earn 3% back on restaurant and drugstore purchases and 5% on travel purchased through Chase. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 18.99-28.49%
- Low introductory APR
- Rewards never expire
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Cash Back
- 3%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Blue Cash Everyday card gives you $200 back after spending $2,000 in the first six months of account opening. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 18.24-29.24%
- Earn 3% cash back on everyday eligible purchases up to annual limits
- Instead of cash, rewards are distributed through statement credits
Citi Custom Cash Card
- Cash Back
- 5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
Your plans change, and with the Citi Custom Cash® Card, so does the way you earn. As your spending changes each billing cycle, what you earn adjusts automatically within eligible categories. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 18.24-28.24%
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Rewards never expire
Discover it Cash Back
- Cash Back
- 5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
This unique offer, only available from the Discover it Cash Back card, gives you unlimited cash back at the end of the year of opening the account. Discover matches your cash back amount, which means you could receive $800 from your $400 total. See website for details.
- APR after intro: 17.74% to 27.74%
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Rewards never expire
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
- Cash Back
- 1.5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Quicksilver Rewards card offers unlimited cash back on every purchase, ensuring that cardholders earn rewards with each transaction without worrying about spending categories.
- Variable APR: 19.24-29.24%
- Low introductory APR offer
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards
Chase Freedom Flex
- Cash Back
- 5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Chase Freedom Flex card offers an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months. While the variable APR increases based on your creditworthiness following the initial promotional window, the 15 months does provide a decent timeframe for paying off or down larger purchases. Additionally, the card offers 5% cash back on travel and other purchases up to $1,500.
- Variable APR: 18.99-29.24%
- Fraud monitoring
- Rewards do not expire
While the top credit cards are often reserved for those with the highest credit scores, nothing is stopping you from applying to a quality option, just review your acceptance odds before risking a credit report ding. Most credit card issuers understand that people can fall on hard times or make mistakes, which is why each company often offers cards for various credit scores, giving everyone a chance to build, maintain, and establish their credit.
