Full List of Our Picks for Critics’ Choice Credit Cards

Click on the card name to read our full review.

Capital One SavorOne Rewards

What we love about the Capital One SavorOne Rewards Card: Cash back on top categories

The Capital One SavorOne Rewards Card is a great choice for those looking to get a good, straightforward rate of cash back on everyday purchases without an annual fee. The card gives you unlimited 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and streaming services, plus you can earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Another benefit is the ability to earn 10% cash back on purchases with Uber and Uber Eats and a complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. All other purchases will generate 1% cash back. Those who expect to carry a balance early on will appreciate the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; APR after that; a 3% fee applies on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months. The card also comes with a welcome offer of $200 when you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months. Read our full review

American Express Blue Cash Preferred®

What we love about the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card: Cash back on common purchases

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card stands out for its generous cash back rates on some of the purchases you spend the most on, such as groceries and gas. You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 6% back on US streaming plans, and 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit. You’ll earn 1% cash back after limits are reached, and you’ll also earn 1% on all other purchases. The card has a $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter. And don’t forget the welcome offer: You receive a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first six months. Read our full review

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

What we love about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card: Uncomplicated, unlimited rewards

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is a powerhouse card with few equals when it comes to cash back, offering the high rewards rate you want without the complexities that come with rotating categories and offers that require activation. You’ll get 5% for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% for dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Plus, you will earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases for your first year (up to $20,000) which equates to up to $300 more in cash back year one. You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Ultimate Rewards website. There is no annual fee. Read our full review

Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa®

What we love about the Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa® Card: Introductory offer for balance transfers

The Union Bank Platinum Visa Card is a top choice for people who want more time to pay off a large purchase and for those who are looking to make a balance transfer. This card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then . You’ll enjoy a 0% intro balance transfer fee for any balance transfers you make within 60 days of opening the account (after that there’s a 3% fee for each transfer or minimum of $10). The card doesn’t come with rewards, but it does lack an annual fee and it comes with added security features. Read our full review

Wells Fargo Autograph

What we love about the Wells Fargo Autograph Card: Generous rewards in popular categories

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers a high rewards rate on some of the most common types of purchases, and it also comes with an impressive welcome bonus for a card without an annual fee. New card members can earn an offer of 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months, which is a $200 cash redemption value. You can also collect unlimited 3X points on key categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, making it a great choice if you spend regularly in those categories. Other purchases will get you 1X points. The card also comes with a notable 0% introductory APR offer on purchases for 12 months, then a will apply. Read our full review

Capital One Venture X Rewards

What we love about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card: Outstanding rewards rates

The Capital One Venture X Card is an ideal choice for those with excellent credit who want to rack up miles at an accelerated rate. This card’s generous welcome bonus, rewards and perks make the steep annual fee of $395 worth it for many travelers. When you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll get unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights. You also earn 2X miles on all other purchases. Each year you’ll receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus. Sweetening the deal is a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months. Finally, you’ll also receive a $300 annual travel credit and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit. Read our full review

Capital One VentureOne Rewards

What we love about the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card: Solid rewards with no annual fee

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on all purchases and an elevated 5X rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You’ll also collect a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, which equals $200 in travel. Those who plan to make a large purchase or who need to carry a balance will appreciate the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months; after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 18 months. The card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Read our full review

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express

What we love about the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: High rewards rate and perks for Delta travelers

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card comes with a rewards structure that makes it easy to compile miles. You ‘ll collect 3X miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, as well as on purchases made directly with hotels. Plus, you’ll get 2X miles at restaurants. Delta flyers will appreciate the card’s travel benefits, which includes an annual round-trip companion certificate for a domestic flight. Perks also include priority boarding and free bag check for your first bag. The annual fee of $250 is relatively steep, but the rewards and benefits quickly make up for it. The card’s welcome bonus is particularly appealing, offering 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first six months. Read our full review

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

What we love about the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card: Strong sign-up bonus and competitive rewards

As the top tier offered by Chase/Southwest, the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card gives you a generous rewards rate. You’ll get 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and 2X points on purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners, commuting and transit, internet, cable, phone services and streaming. Upgraded boardings (four per year when available) sweeten the deal for this card. There’s also a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points and 25% back on inflight purchases, helping to offset the $149 annual fee. The card also charges no foreign transaction fees. Read our full review

---

How Do Credit Cards Work?

A credit card is a financial product that can be used to purchase goods or services. When you use a credit card, you are borrowing money to pay, then you must repay later. When you’re approved for a credit card, you get a credit limit that determines how much you can charge to your card. 

How Do Credit Card Rewards Work?

A rewards credit card lets you make the most of your credit card purchases by accumulating points, miles or cash back when you use the card. You usually earn either a flat rate (like 1 point for every dollar spent on all purchases) or a higher rate for certain categories (like 5 points for every dollar spent on dining out).

The best rewards cards usually have a welcome bonus that allows new cardholders to earn extra rewards when they spend a certain amount of money in a set period of time.

Some rewards credit cards have distinct rewards programs and rules for redeeming rewards, so it’s important to understand the specific rewards program to help you maximize your rewards.

How Does Credit Card Interest Work?

Your credit card issuer sets your interest rate. You will usually get a lower interest rate if you have better credit. You can find your interest rate on your credit card statement. It’s listed as an annual rate but is usually charged on a daily basis. 

At the end of your billing cycle, your credit card issuer will determine how much interest you owe, which is included in your next monthly payment. 

Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

PROS

Rewards and perks – Many credit cards come with rewards and perks based on how you use the card and purchases you make in certain categories like travel, groceries and dining.

Financial flexibility – Using a credit card responsibly can be more convenient because you don’t have to carry cash or worry about having enough money with you to make purchases. Credit cards also allow you to make large purchases like vacations and pay down the road. 

CONS

Interest rates – Credit card interest rates are higher than other types of loans, so you will face higher payments if you carry a balance.

You can get into debt – If you don’t use a credit card responsibly, the high interest rates can make it difficult to pay off your debt. 

Different Types of Credit Cards

The best type of credit card for you depends on how you plan on using it to make purchases. 

Rewards credit cards – A rewards credit card lets you make the most of your credit card purchases by accumulating points, miles or cash back when you use the card. You usually earn either a flat rate (like 1 point for every dollar spent on all purchases) or a higher rate for certain categories (like 5 points for every dollar spent on dining out).

The best rewards cards usually have a welcome bonus that allows new cardholders to earn extra rewards when they spend a certain amount of money in a set period of time.

Some rewards credit cards have distinct rewards programs and rules for redeeming rewards, so it’s important to understand the specific rewards program to help you maximize your rewards.

Balance transfer cards – A balance transfer card has features that make it conducive to balance transfers. A balance transfer is the act of shifting high-interest debt from one credit card over to another card that offers a low introductory APR, making it easier to pay off the balance without accumulating more debt. There are many credit cards out there that offer low introductory balance-transfer APRs for specified periods of time. Once the introductory period expires, usually after about 12 to 18 months, the card’s regular APR applies.

Cash back cards – As the name suggests, cash back cards earn you a practical reward that just about everyone can benefit from – money. When you make purchases with a cash back card, you get back a specified percentage of what you spend in the form of cash. While other types of credit cards reward you with points or miles that you may only be able to use for certain purposes, cash back cards offer a level of simplicity that many cardholders appreciate.

Here’s an example: If a card offers 2% cash back on gas station purchases and you spend $60 to fill your tank, you’d get $1.20 back. How you receive your cash back rewards varies from card to card. Some may give it to you in the form of a statement credit, while others may pay you back in actual cash. Other cards may allow you to choose how you want to receive it.

As you compare cash back cards, you’ll notice that some offer flat cash back rates for all types of purchases, while others offer different cash back values depending on which category your purchase falls under. Some cards rotate which categories feature enhanced cash back rewards, with a new category offering extra cash back each quarter.

Travel cards – A travel credit card is a card that offers rewards in the form of miles or points that can be redeemed for travel purchases such as flights, hotels and rental cars. These points may also be redeemable for statement credits, gift cards and more, depending on the card. A travel card usually offers a higher rate of rewards points when you use it to book travel. 

Travel cards also typically come with a host of additional perks that make travel more enjoyable. Your card may score a free checked bag for your flight, a hotel room upgrade, access to airport lounges and more.

Airline cards – An airline card is a credit card that’s co-branded with a particular airline, allowing cardholders to earn miles or points that they can redeem for travel with that airline. These cards usually give bonus rewards miles when the card is used to book trips or make inflight purchases with the airline. Airline cards also usually offer travel perks such as free checked bags, airport lounge access and more.

How To Choose The Best Credit Card

Selecting the right credit card for you should be based on your credit score, how you use a credit card, if you’re willing to pay an annual fee and what perks or rewards you’re looking for.

Annual fee – An annual fee is a yearly fee you pay to have a credit card. Annual fees vary among cards. Many have no annual fee, while some have high annual fees. Some cards also waive the first year’s annual fee as a welcome bonus. Rewards cards with high annual fees usually have additional perks and special rewards rates that can make the annual fee worth it for the right user.

Other fees – It’s important to understand other fees from your issuer and take them into account. Examples of other fees include balance transfer fees, cash advance fees, late fees and foreign transaction fees.

Intro APR – Many rewards credit cards also offer 0% introductory APR for anywhere from six months to 21 months. This intro APR can be for purchases, balance transfers or both. This break from interest can help if you’re making a big purchase or need to consolidate debt.

Ongoing interest rate – The ongoing interest rate is what you pay after your intro APR expires. This rate usually depends on your credit score. This rate is usually identified as variable, meaning it can change under certain circumstances. 

Rewards – Many credit cards offer rewards on your spending in different categories. Make sure to select a card that lines up with your spending habits in the best way. 

Sign-up bonus – A sign-up, or welcome, bonus is an incentive offered to new cardholders. It  allows new cardholders to earn extra rewards when they spend a certain amount of money in a set period of time. You’ll find this feature more often with rewards cards than with other types of cards.

How Do You Get a Credit Card?

Once you’ve researched and decided which credit card is best for your spending habits, it’s time to apply for a card. The card issuer then decides your creditworthiness based on the information you provide. 

First, you fill out an application for a card. Then the issuer checks your credit. If you meet the requirements, your application is approved and your new card will arrive in the mail. Then you activate the card and can start using it.  

How To Get The Most Out of Your Credit Card

It’s crucial to understand how to use your credit card responsibly so you don’t damage your financial health.

Pay your balances in full each month – It doesn’t matter how strategically you use your cash back cards if you don’t pay your card off each month. The interest you’ll incur will likely cancel out those earnings.

Earn your sign-up bonus – While you should avoid overspending to meet your sign-up bonus, you should understand the requirements associated with the bonus and structure your spending accordingly.

Target categories – Be aware of any special categories your rewards card has and use the card when you make purchases in those categories. 

Combine cards  – You may be able to maximize your cash back rewards by carrying multiple cards and using the one with the highest rate on whichever type of purchase you’re making. This may take a little more planning and discipline, but it could pay off considerably.

Best Credit Cards 2023

• 10 Best Rewards Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Cash Back Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Travel Credit Cards for 2023
• Best Airline Credit Cards for 2023

Methodology

CardCritics, our resident credit card experts, identify the best credit cards by compiling and extensively analyzing data on all of the major credit cards available, then rating them on a 5-star rating system. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options and more. These factors were then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.