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ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2021 || Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Discover || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || US Bank || Wells FargoMastercard credit cards are accepted widely both in the U.S. and internationally. If you’re in the market for a new Mastercard, options abound — and there’s no such thing as a single “best” Mastercard card for everybody. To decide which card is best for you, consider your spending, debt and rewards preferences.
ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2021 || Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Discover || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || US Bank || Wells FargoMastercard credit cards are accepted widely both in the U.S. and internationally. If you’re in the market for a new Mastercard, options abound — and there’s no such thing as a single “best” Mastercard card for everybody. To decide which card is best for you, consider your spending, debt and rewards preferences.
Our pick for
Cash back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
13.99%-23.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is one of the best rewards cards on the market, partly because it’s so simple: You get straight cash back — there are no points or bonus categories to keep track of. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a high rewards rate on every purchase.
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is one of the best rewards cards on the market, partly because it’s so simple: You get straight cash back — there are no points or bonus categories to keep track of. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a high rewards rate on every purchase.
Pros
The card offers a 2% cash-back rate on all purchases: You get 1% back on every dollar you spend and another 1% back when you pay off your purchases, for an annual fee of $0.
Cons
This offer does not include a sign-up bonus or a 0% intro APR period on purchases, nor does the card have any bonus categories. Higher cash-back percentages can be had on different cards for specific categories. There’s a minimum cash-back redemption of $25.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Our pick for
Travel rewards
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-23.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
While we’re not crazy about a card at this rewards level having an annual fee, triple points on travel is a nice feature, especially because the category includes gas.
While we’re not crazy about a card at this rewards level having an annual fee, triple points on travel is a nice feature, especially because the category includes gas.
Pros
By paying 3 points per dollar on travel, the Citi Premier® Card has an edge on competitors that offer only 2 points per dollar in that category. Citi’s definition of “travel” is broad and includes gas station purchases. Citi ThankYou points are worth 1.25 cents per point when you redeem for airfare booked through Citi.
Cons
An annual fee of $95 and lackluster point-transfer options to U.S. travel partners are clear downsides.
Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Our pick for
Balance transfers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Regular APR
14.74%-24.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
The long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers on the Citi Simplicity® Card makes this a solid card if you need breathing room to pay off debt.
The long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers on the Citi Simplicity® Card makes this a solid card if you need breathing room to pay off debt.
Pros
This card is for someone who needs extra time to pay down debt. It has an annual fee of $0, and it offers an introductory APR of 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases, and then the ongoing APR of 14.74%-24.74% Variable APR, not to mention no late fees.
Cons
The card charges a balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum of $5). You can’t transfer balances from other Citi accounts, and you won't earn rewards.
No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
Our pick for
Fair/average credit
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual fee
$39
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
26.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers those with average credit a chance to earn rewards and gain access to a higher credit line.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers those with average credit a chance to earn rewards and gain access to a higher credit line.
Pros
The card offers a solid ongoing rewards rate with no need to track bonus categories. You simply earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Plus, you can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
Cons
The card charges an annual fee of $39. You would need to spend $2,600 per year on the card to make that back. And unlike some other cash-back cards, it doesn’t allow you to boost your rewards earnings with bonus categories.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app
Our pick for
Small business
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 9 billing cycles
Regular APR
12.24% - 22.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card is just right for business owners who want a travel card with robust ongoing rewards but no fee.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card is just right for business owners who want a travel card with robust ongoing rewards but no fee.
Pros
This card with an annual fee of $0 offers generous rewards of 1.5 points for every dollar spent, and 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases booked through Bank of America®. It also comes with a plum sign-up bonus for a no-fee card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining-related purchases.. It charges no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
Higher reward rates are available on other no-fee small business cards. Other cards — especially cards with annual fees — also offer larger sign-up bonuses.
Earn 30,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining-related purchases
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time-no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center
No annual fee and no international transaction fees
0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 12.24% to 22.24% will apply.
Redeem points for a statement credit to offset travel and dining-related purchases, travel with no blackout dates at the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back or gift cards
Earn up to 75% more points on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases and up to 5.25 points per $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap
Our pick for
College students
on Deserve's website
on Deserve's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
18.74% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is an excellent option for students who can’t qualify for a credit card because they lack a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number or both.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is an excellent option for students who can’t qualify for a credit card because they lack a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number or both.
Pros
The card is ideal for students who can't get approved for other cards because they lack a credit history. International students who don't have a Social Security number may be able to qualify. That's because the issuer uses its own underwriting process to evaluate applications based on alternative criteria. Cardholders get unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases and a statement credit for a 12-month Amazon Prime Student subscription (up to $59) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles.
Cons
Rewards are redeemable only for statement credit, and you’ll have to wait until you have $25 in rewards (equal to $2,500 in spending) before you can redeem. Other cards offer higher rewards rates, if you can qualify for them.
Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $59).
Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.
Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600.
No deposit required. No annual fees.
No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence.
No Social Security Number required for international students to apply.
Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you'll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited!
Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app.
See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes.
Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC.
Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention™ and Master Rental®.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST MASTERCARD CREDIT CARDS
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Our pick for: Cash back
Year after year, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer has been our choice for the best flat-rate cash-back card. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off. There's no 0% intro period for purchases and no sign-up bonus, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review.
Our pick for: Bonus category travel rewards
The Citi Premier® Card earns bonus points on airfare, hotels, supermarkets, dining and gas stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.
Our pick for: Balance transfers
The Citi Simplicity® Card has an excellent 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, and an OK one on purchases. It doesn't charge an annual fee, late fees or penalty APRs either. Its balance transfer fee is on the high side, though. Read our review.
Our pick for: Fair/average credit
This card for people with fair or "average" credit pays the same cash-back rate as the regular Quicksilver card, which targets people with excellent credit. The key difference is that this version charges an annual fee while the regular one does not. Read our review.
Our pick for: Small business
This is the business version of the issuer's excellent no-annual-fee travel card. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card pays solid rewards on every purchase and gives you wide flexibility in redeeming your points for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Read our review.
Our pick for: College students
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students doesn’t require applicants to have a co-signer or security deposit, and international students don't need a Social Security number. That makes it a little easier to get approved — even for students with limited credit histories. Plus, it comes with a solid 1% back on all purchases. Read our review.
Our pick for: Dining and entertainment
If a night out is more than a once-in-a-while proposition for you, consider the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card. You get a best-in-class cash-back rate on dining, entertainment and eligible streaming services, plus bonus rewards at grocery stores. The sign-up bonus is one of the best you can get on a cash-back card. Read our review.
Last updated on October 19, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
