Best credit cards of September 2023

The Bonus: New cardholders can earn an extra 1.5% cash back on purchases during the first year (up to $20,000 spent), which is worth up to $300.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: On an ongoing basis, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% back at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 3% back at drugstores and 1.5% cash back on your other purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Earning at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase is hard to beat, but when you throw in the opportunity to earn up to 5% cash back on other categories of purchases, well, this card just gets even more impressive.
• While this card is marketed as a cash-back card, your cash back technically accumulates as Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a powerful travel rewards currency. You can combine the points you earn with this card with the points you earn using one of Chase’s other cards, such as CardNamediscontinued or CardNamediscontinued and possibly make those points worth even more.
• You can take advantage of an introductory 0% APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers (then, RegAPR).

CONS:

• There's a lot of rewards categories to keep up with here. It's potentially quite a lucrative set up, but it's going to require you to put some thought into where you use your card.
• This isn’t the best card for you to take along on a trip abroad; it charges foreign transaction fees.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases on your new card within the first 90 days of account opening.

Ongoing APR: RegAPR

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate:  Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 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. Newly expanded 3% categories for gas (to now include electric vehicle charging (EVC) stations) and online shopping (to now include cable, streaming, internet and phone services).

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• The freedom to choose the category in which to earn the highest rewards makes this customizable card an excellent option for many people's spending habits.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, you can earn even more: 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase.
• Take advantage of IntroAPRRate, and balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then, RegAPR).

CONS:

• The cash-back opportunities are good, but they're great for Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients. If that's not you, you might want to look elsewhere for higher cash-back earning.
• Be aware that this card charges foreign transaction fees, so you'll want to carry another option along when you travel abroad or when you shop in foreign currency from home.
• You can only adjust your 3% cash-back earning category once per calendar month. If an unexpected expense arises in a different category after you've already made your choice, you're out of luck for the 3% on that purchase until the following month rolls around.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: 60,000 bonus points (worth up to $750 in travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal) when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs, so you might find that bonus to be worth a lot more when converted to rewards under one of your existing loyalty accounts.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: Earn five points per $1 for travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards portal; three points per $1 on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery), online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming services; two points per $1 on travel; and one point per $1 on other purchases. Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, so each point is worth 1.25 cents in that case.

Additionally, each year receive a points bonus equal to 10% of your total purchases from the previous year.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Save with an annual $50 hotel credit for a stay booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
• That bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months is worth $750 when you redeem your points for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. It's a solid bonus, especially for a card with a modest annual fee.
• This card is an excellent complement to other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, such as CardName or even business cards like CardName. Combine all your points into a single pot and, depending on which card you group them under, they may be worth even more. Learn more in our Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards points

CONS:

• This card's rewards earning works well for a certain type of spender, but not everyone. Remember you'll only earn bonus rewards in select categories. If these categories aren't among your regular spending categories, you'd likely be better off with a different card.
• There is the AnnualFees annual fee to consider, so make sure you'll earn (and redeem!) enough rewards to more than offset the fee.
• There isn't an introductory 0% APR offer with this card.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. Redeemed for statement credit to cover travel, those miles are worth $750. You can also transfer the miles to a number of hotel and airline loyalty programs for possibly more value.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; and an unlimited two-times miles on all other purchases.

Is Venture X worth the annual fee?: The annual fee for this card is already lower than most in the premium/luxury category, so that's a good start. Add in perks like a complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network, up to $100 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, $300 credit annually for travel booked through Capital One Travel as well as 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 in travel) each year after your account anniversary and it's easy to see how you can almost completely offset that annual fee before you even discuss the day-to-day rewards earning.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• It's nice to be appreciated – with this card, your loyalty is rewarded each anniversary year with 10,000 bonus miles.
• That bonus of 75,000 miles (earned after spending $4,000 in the first three months) will more than offset your annual fee for the first year.
• This card offers stellar flexibility when it comes to redeeming your miles. Just cash them in to cover travel purchases charged to your card. The list of loyalty program partners is also growing, so you can explore whether there's good value for you in that redemption path as well. Learn more in our Guide to Capital One miles

CONS:

• While the $300 annual travel credit is generous, it is only available for purchases made through Capital One Travel, so it's a bit restrictive.
• It's lower than other cards in its class, but there is a AnnualFees annual fee to consider. Ensure you'll earn and redeem enough rewards to make the fee worth your while.
• Capital One's travel loyalty partners aren't the most popular or wide-reaching out there. It's nice to have the options, but they may not be be the most useful to you depending on your travel habits.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days. Points can be redeemed for $200-worth of cash back, gift cards, travel and more.

Intro APR Offer: 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers (transfers must be made in the first 60 days to qualify).

Balance Transfer Fee: BalanceTransferFees

Ongoing APR: RegAPR

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Rate: Earn 4x points on takeout, food delivery and dining as well as 2x the points at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), gas stations, EV charging stations and on streaming services. Earn one point per $1 on your other eligible purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This no-annual-fee card gives its users a lengthy 12 billing cycles to pay off balance transfers (made within the first 60 days) as well as your purchases without the worry of interest charges (ongoing APR of RegAPR applies after the intro period).
• Take advantage of an annual statement credit of $15 for streaming service purchases like Netflix and Spotify.
• With no foreign transaction fees, you can take this card abroad and save.

CONS:

• The top rewards go to cardholders who dine out – if that isn't you, take a look at a different card with rewards that better fit your spending habits.
• Redeeming rewards has some restrictions, particularly when it comes to cash back. In that case, there's a minimum redemption requirement of $25 (that's 2,500 points) and you can only redeem for true cash back if you do so into a U.S. Bank checking or savings account. Otherwise, cash back is going to be in the form of a statement credit.
• There is a balance transfer fee to consider, but this is a common fee to most credit cards.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Welcome Offer: Earn $250 in statement credit after you spend $3,000 within the first six months.

Intro APR Offer:Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. Balance transfer fee applies: BalanceTransferFees

Ongoing APR: RegAPR

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; earn 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit like parking, tolls, taxis, bus fares and more; and earn 1% back on your other purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This is among the highest reward rates out there for U.S. supermarket purchases, meaning it could be a very lucrative card for someone who regularly spends there.
• Low intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. then RegAPR. Balance transfer fee applies: BalanceTransferFees
• We love this card for families since it rewards purchases with U.S. supermarkets (6% cash back up to $6,000 spent in a year, then 1%), on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (6% cash back), at U.S. gas stations (3% cash back), and on transit (3% cash back), all categories that many families find themselves spending in with some frequency.

CONS:

• As an American Express card, it isn't as widely accepted as cards issued by Visa or Mastercard, but the American Express network is ever-expanding both in the U.S. and abroad.
• Speaking of using this card while abroad, that's not the best idea as it charges foreign transaction fees, something you can avoid with many cards.
• There's also the annual fee to consider; you'll want to go through your budget carefully to determine whether you'll earn enough rewards to more than offset the annual fee.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus: 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of card opening.

Ongoing APR: RegAPR

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: Earn 5X points on purchases at the pump and at electric vehicle charging stations as well as 3X points on supermarket, restaurant/dining and cable/satellite and other television/radio/streaming service purchases. Earn one point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card offers solid rewards in some popular everyday categories (5X points at the pump and at electric vehicle charging stations; 3X points at supermarkets, on dining/restaurants, and on purchases of cable, satellite and other TV/radio/streaming services; and one point per $1 on your other purchases.
• With no foreign transaction fees, this card is a helpful companion for trips or assignments abroad.
• Not that we recommend carrying a balance, but if you do, be aware that for people with spectacular credit this card's interest rate starts below what many cards charge.

CONS:

• An intro bonus opportunity is always nice, but this one isn't especially generous.
• This card certainly targets people who drive quite a lot. The rewards are just OK for other purchases. If you're not a road warrior, there are likely better options out there for you.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points – worth $1,250 in travel – after you spend $8,000 within the first three months.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: Receive three points per $1 spent on up to $150,000 combined spending annually on travel expenses; shipping costs; Internet, cable, and phone services; and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. You'll earn one point per $1 in those categories once you reach the spending cap and on all your other purchases.

Additional Perks: Pay your mobile phone bill on your card and you'll enjoy protection for the primary phone on the account as well as all the other phones on the account (yes, that includes employee phones) for covered damage and theft.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This is the highest signup bonus of any Ultimate Rewards-earning card – 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months. That bonus is worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
• The spending cap in the bonus categories is high at $150,000, so it can meet the needs of a just-getting-started business as well as an already-on-the-move business.
• Pay your cellular bill on your card and you'll receive cellular phone insurance for the primary line as well as other phones on the account.

CONS:

• There is an annual fee to consider, so make sure the rewards categories truly fit your businesses needs or else the fee might not be worth it.
• Remember that there is a spending cap in the bonus categories, so if you spend well above a combined $150,000 a year on travel and the other select business categories, you'll only earn 1% back on the additional spending.
• This is designed as a travel rewards card, so if that isn't a big part of your business' spending, look elsewhere for your small business credit card.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Intro 0% Offer Details: Take advantage of an introductory 0% APR period of 21 months from date of your first transfer for balance transfers (all transfers must be completed within 4 months) and 12 months for purchases (then, RegAPR).

Balance Transfer Fees: BalanceTransferFees

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Rewards Rate: There are no traditional rewards offered with this card, however, you could easily consider the extra money you'll save on interest charges thanks to that introductory 0% APR period on purchases and qualifying transfers, as a reward.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card has one of the longest intro 0% APR offers that we know of. Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (when made in the first four months) and on purchases for 12 months, then RegAPR.
• This card keeps membership fun with Citi Entertainment, which gives cardholders special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
• Keep track of your credit with free access to your FICO score online.

CONS:

• This card isn’t a rewards card so if you want a lengthy 0% intro offer AND rewards you might want to consider another option.
• Intro 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers is one of the longest on the market, but don’t be blindsided by the APR after the intro offer. Depending on your creditworthiness the APR can shoot up significantly.
• If you’re looking for a good credit card to take overseas with you, this card probably isn’t it as it charges foreign transaction fees.

Read our full review of the CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee 

Rewards Rate: Earn 5X Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year); 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and one point per $1 spent on eligible purchases elsewhere.

Is CardName Annual Fee Worth It? Again, the short answer is yes... for the right person. Cardholders receive complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges and are eligible for up $200 annually in statement credit to cover incidental airline charges like baggage fees or in-flight refreshments on one qualifying pre-selected airline, as well as either $100 or $85 in credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, respectively. If you are someone who would have purchased an annual airport lounge membership, that alone largely offsets the annual fee. Plus, the perks just mentioned are in addition to numerous other perks and features you'd want to see with a luxury card. Enrollment required for select benefits. 

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• As a luxury card, this is another good travel option packed with useful benefits. Some of our favorites include: a $200 airline fee credit (with one pre-selected airline); Uber VIP status and up to $15 each month, plus a bonus in December, in Uber Cash for your rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.; a credit of $100 or $85 for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, respectively, application fee; access to the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounge locations around the world; no foreign transaction fees; and car rental loss and damage insurance.
• This card also offers a hefty welcome bonus to get card membership started off on the right foot. New cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points once making $8,000 in purchase in the first six months of card membership.
• With 5X Membership Rewards points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express travel, this card makes it easy to rack up rewards quickly.
• Terms apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

CONS:

• The AnnualFees annual fee this card charges can’t be overlooked. It is a luxury card, however, and there are plenty of beneficial perks to help offset this cost.
• With that said, many of the perks of this card are travel related; if you don’t travel often, you’ll likely have trouble offsetting the annual fee and making the most of the card’s rewards.
• If you anticipate needing to carry a balance you’ll likely want to consider another option. Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.

Read our full review of CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

PROS:

• This card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate each quarter (activation required), which is a great offer for a student credit card – especially one with no annual fee.
• Thanks to Discover’s match offer, in a sense, you’ll actually earn 10% instead of 5% on bonus category purchases during your first year as a cardholder. Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, so if you rack up $100 in rewards, you’ll actually walk away with $200. This offer is hard to beat, especially for a student credit card!
• Headed to an international destination for spring break? Thinking about brushing up on your French with a semester abroad? Don’t forget to pack this credit card! It charges no foreign transaction fees, meaning you can continue earning rewards no matter where you are, without worrying about fees.

CONS:

• To maximize your cash-back rewards you’ll need to keep track of the rotating categories, which change quarterly and require enrollment. If you aren’t good keeping up with schedules, you could miss out on opportunities to maximize your rewards.
• As is the case with all student credit cards, getting this card is not as easy as it used to be. Discover no longer allows co-signers, so you are on your own with the application. And the federal government has tightened its regulations on marketing and issuing cards, particularly to students.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

PROS:

• This is a unique secured credit card in that it offers cash-back rewards. Earn 2% back on the first $1,000 spent each quarter at gas stations and restaurants (then 1%) and 1% on all other purchases.
• Not only is this a secured credit card that offers ongoing rewards, but it also offers a nice welcome bonus – another unique feature to secured credit cards. Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year as a cardholder. So say you earn $100 cash back in your first year, you’ll actually pocket $200 that year.
• After seven months, Discover will automatically review your account monthly to determine whether you’re eligible to be transitioned to an unsecured credit card.

CONS:

• Though there’s no annual fee, the minimum security deposit amount could be a stretch for some people at $200. If you can’t see yourself coming up with that deposit, there are other secured credit cards with lower security deposit requirements.
• Although the cash-back rewards associated with this card may entice potential users, the downside is that not every applicant will be approved. Approval depends on credit history and other financial variables. If you’re uncertain that you will be approved and don’t want a hard credit inquiry on your report, a different secured credit card might be a better fit for you.

Read our full CardName.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.