Each year, CardRatings’ staff breaks down the top card picks for popular categories, announcing winners based on expert analysis and extensive consumer feedback. This year, we surveyed thousands of actual cardholders to determine how their real-world experiences align with our editorial recommendations.
In November 2025, CardRatings commissioned market researcher Dynata to survey 2,797 cardholders nationwide to get their opinions on the most popular cards on the market. To determine which cards to poll, we examined our website analytics to find the most sought-after cards from Jan. 1, 2025, through Oct. 2, 2025.
The survey assessed respondent satisfaction across four key pillars: value for price, features satisfaction and engagement, competitive edge, and customer service. Responses within each category were averaged to determine a final score. “Cardholder favorite” cards are those that earned a spot in the top 10 overall.
The 2026 results revealed an interesting shift in consumer sentiment. While experts often prioritize long-term value, this year’s cardholders showed a distinct preference for high-end perks and specialized financial tools.
High fees, high satisfaction
Despite the recent trend of rising annual fees, premium and business cards dominated the rankings. Out of the top 12 cards (due to ties), five were business cards and three were premium consumer cards. Notably, the The Business Platinum(R) Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer and American Express Platinum Card(R) discontinued_disclaimer remained favorites. (American Express is a CardRatings advertiser. However, our ‘cardholder favorites’ and expert picks are chosen independently, and advertiser status has no impact on a card’s position.)
“The fact that high-fee cards are ranking so well suggests that consumers are no longer just looking at the cost of entry,” said Jennifer Doss, executive editor of CardRatings.com. “Instead, they are prioritizing the depth of rewards and the quality of luxury perks that help offset those fees.”
A focus on credit building and debt management
In a departure from previous years, a secured card—the secured Self Visa(R) Credit Card—claimed a top spot in the overall rankings. This surge in popularity indicates that credit building is a major priority for consumers in 2026.
Similarly, cards focused on interest-free periods performed exceptionally well. The Wells Fargo Reflect (R) Card was a standout favorite, signaling that many cardholders are actively seeking ways to manage existing debt or finance large purchases without the sting of high interest rates.
Simplicity in rewards
While rewards cards are usually the most popular category, they were in the minority within this year’s top 10. Interestingly, the rewards cards that did make the cut, such as the Citi Double Cash(R) Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash (R) Card, are both no-annual-fee, flat-rate cash back cards. (Citi is a CardRatings advertiser. However, our ‘cardholder favorites’ and expert picks are chosen independently, and advertiser status has no impact on a card’s position.)
This shift suggests that when users aren’t looking for luxury, they want simplicity and transparency without an extra cost. It also reinforces the idea that interest-free periods are a major driver this year, as these top-tier rewards cards also offer competitive 0% APR terms.
CardRatings’ picks for the top credit cards of 2026
Our editorial team has selected these winners based on a combination of expert analysis, long-term value, and the latest cardholder survey results. These represent our top recommendations for each category in 2026.
- Best cash back card with tiered rewards: Bank of America(R) Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- Features a unique 6% cash back on a category of your choice for the first year (3% thereafter).
- Best for flat-rate cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash (R) Card
- Offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track.
- Best for general travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred(R) Card
- Still a favorite for its flexible 1:1 point transfers and 10% anniversary point bonus.
- Best for premium travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve(R)
- Includes new-for-2026 benefits, such as up to $500 in statement credits for bookings at “The Edit” luxury hotels.
- Best for dining out: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- A top pick for foodies with unlimited 3% cash back on dining and eligible grocery purchases.
- Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred(R) Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer
- Leads the market with a massive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year, before 1% applies).
- Best for gas purchases: Blue Cash Everyday(R) Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer
- Provides 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 a year, before 1% applies).
- Best small business card: Ink Business Preferred(R) Credit Card
- Best premium business card: The Business Platinum(R) Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer
- This is a newly featured category for our expert picks this year, added to reflect the exceptionally high satisfaction score it received from real cardholders in our 2026 survey.
- Best balance transfer offer: Wells Fargo Reflect (R) Card
- Best for luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card(R) discontinued_disclaimer
- Best student credit card: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Offers students unlimited 1.5% cash back while reporting to all three credit bureaus.
- Best for building credit: Discover it(R) Secured
2026 survey results: Cardholder favorites
While our experts focus on long-term strategy, our survey data reflects the cards that real users are currently finding most satisfying. In 2026, “value for price” and “interest-free periods” were the highest-rated categories among our 2,797 respondents.
Top 10 highest-rated cards overall (strictly survey-based)
(Because of ties, 12 cards made this list)
- The Business Platinum(R) Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer (9.42)
- United(SM) Business Card (8.9)
- Wells Fargo Reflect (R) Card (8.83)
- secured Self Visa(R) Credit Card (8.82)
- The Blue Business(R) Plus Credit Card from American Express discontinued_disclaimer, Ink Business Preferred(R) Credit Card (8.77)
- American Express(R) Business Gold Card discontinued_disclaimer (8.65)
- Citi Double Cash(R) Card, Wells Fargo Active Cash (R) Card (8.51)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve(R) (8.49)
- American Express Platinum Card(R) (8.48)
- American Express(R) Gold Card discontinued_disclaimer (8.47)
Category leaders (highest consumer ratings)
- Top business cards: The Business Platinum(R) Card from American Express, United(SM) Business Card, The Blue Business(R) Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Top premium cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve(R), American Express Platinum Card(R), American Express(R) Gold Card
- Top rewards cards: Wells Fargo Active Cash (R) Card, Discover it(R) Miles, Citi Strata(SM) Card
- Top balance transfer/0% APR cards: Wells Fargo Reflect (R) Card, Citi Double Cash(R) Card, Citi(R) Diamond Preferred(R) Card
- Top secured cards: secured Self Visa(R) Credit Card, Discover it(R) Secured, Current Build Card
See full card details as well as updated cardholder scores in this year’s best credit cards of 2026 list. For additional card options, check out our full catalog of the best credit cards by category, which highlights all winners – both cardholder and expert picks – on the subcategory level. Here you’ll find additional options for the best travel credit cards, the best cash back credit cards and more.
➤ SEE MORE:Credit card trends to look for in 2026
Survey methodology: CardRatings commissioned Dynata in November 2025 to survey 2,797 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings’ website analytics from Jan. 1, 2025, to Oct. 2, 2025, were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards. Respondents were asked a series of questions about specific characteristics of credit cards they used regularly, as well as for their overall rating of each card. Responses were sorted into categories of Value for Price, Features Satisfaction and Engagement, Competitive Edge, and Customer Service. Responses within each category were averaged to determine the score for that category. “Cardholder favorite” cards are those that scored in the top 10 overall. Card issuers cannot pay or influence the cards on these lists, or the order that cards appear.
