BEST OF
The Top Credit Cards of 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped household budgets and realigned financial goals. That reality is reflected in the categories we used for choosing credit cards as part of NerdWallet's Best-Of Awards for 2021.
Perhaps you’re focusing less on dining out and more on cooking at home, meaning you could use a good card for the supermarket — preferably one that also rewards purchases made through grocery-delivery services.
Maybe travel isn’t on your radar anytime soon, so instead of paying a triple-digit annual fee for a card with airport lounge access, you’d rather have a solid cash-back rate on takeout or office expenses. Or it could be that your entertainment spending has shifted from concerts and sporting events to Disney+ and two-day delivery on retail therapy, and you need a card that can keep up.
One thing remains the same, though: There’s no such thing as “the best credit card.” There’s only “the best credit card for you.” Whatever your spending priorities look like now, we’ve picked our top 10 credit card offers for 2021, along with a few more options representing the best credit cards for specific needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped household budgets and realigned financial goals. That reality is reflected in the categories we used for choosing credit cards as part of NerdWallet's Best-Of Awards for 2021.
Perhaps you’re focusing less on dining out and more on cooking at home, meaning you could use a good card for the supermarket — preferably one that also rewards purchases made through grocery-delivery services.
Maybe travel isn’t on your radar anytime soon, so instead of paying a triple-digit annual fee for a card with airport lounge access, you’d rather have a solid cash-back rate on takeout or office expenses. Or it could be that your entertainment spending has shifted from concerts and sporting events to Disney+ and two-day delivery on retail therapy, and you need a card that can keep up.
One thing remains the same, though: There’s no such thing as “the best credit card.” There’s only “the best credit card for you.” Whatever your spending priorities look like now, we’ve picked our top 10 credit card offers for 2021, along with a few more options representing the best credit cards for specific needs.
The Top Credit Cards of 2021 From Our Partners
Our pick for
Flat-rate cash back
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- 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.
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Balance Transfers
Cons
- No sign-up bonus
- No 0% APR for purchases
- $25 minimum redemption
Why We Like It
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is a long-running champion in this category (it won the same NerdWallet honors in 2019 and 2020), thanks to its rich rewards rate of 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay it off. There's no sign-up bonus, but among no-annual-fee cash-back cards, it continues to reign as a simple but extremely effective tool for everyday spending.
Our pick for
Bonus cash back
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
See if you qualify for a better offer with Chase:
Pros
- No annual fee
- 5% rewards on rotating categories
- Access to Chase’s Ultimate Rewards® site to earn more cash back
Cons
- If you value simplicity, a flat-rate cash-back card may be better
- A foreign transaction fee
Why We Like It
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ debuted in 2020 and immediately leapfrogged the competition with its impressive combination of bonus rewards: 5% rotating categories, yes, but also fixed categories like dining, drugstores and eligible travel. You’ll have to track and activate bonus categories, so it’s not the simplest rewards structure on the market — but it can be among the most lucrative.
Our pick for
Flat-rate travel rewards
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
17.24% - 24.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 10+ travel loyalty programs
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Flexible rewards redemption
- No foreign transaction fee
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Redemption value for cash is half of value for travel
- Requires good/excellent credit
Why We Like It
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a repeat winner, largely because it's as straightforward and reliable as a travel card can get: Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on every purchase. Using those miles is also refreshingly easy: Redeem them at a value of a penny each toward any eligible travel purchase — from flights, hotels and car rentals to taxis, timeshares, travel agents and more. (You can also transfer rewards to various travel partners, although the per-mile value varies for that.)
Our pick for
Bonus travel rewards
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Rose Gold is back. You can now choose between Gold or Rose Gold.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, plus, earn 4X points for Uber Eats purchases too.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- $120 Uber Cash: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- High rewards rate in certain categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- Transfer partners
- Annual dining credit
Cons
- American Express isn’t accepted as widely as Visa or Mastercard internationally
- No lounge membership
Why We Like It
The American Express® Gold Card has a healthy annual fee, but you get a lot of value in exchange, including super-rich rewards rates in two of the most popular everyday spending categories: restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. That can help you amass a pile of flexible points toward your next vacation. The card also earns generous rewards on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and it comes with multiple perks, transfer partners and credits.
Our pick for
No-annual-fee travel rewards
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.49% - 24.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Pros
- No annual fee
- Sign-up bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and qualifying Balance Transfers
Cons
- American Express isn’t accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- Requires good/excellent credit
Why We Like It
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card debuted in 2018 and has owned this category ever since. It offers a lot of value for frugal travelers: generous introductory incentives, plus triple points back on a broad array of everyday spending, including dining, gas, travel, transit and select streaming purchases. Terms apply. Perks are scant, and since it’s an American Express, you may run into acceptance issues abroad. But for no annual fee, it's hard to do much better.
Our pick for
0% intro APR and balance transfer
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0*
Regular APR
14.49% - 24.49%* Variable APR
Intro APR
0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers*
Rec Credit Score
720-850
Excellent
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.49% - 24.49%.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2020 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2021.
- No Annual Fee*
- Flexibility to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
- Cell phone insurance
Cons
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fee
Why We Like It
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card stands out for its super-long interest-free promotion: You get a 0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers*, and then the ongoing APR of 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable APR. That’s a 0% window approaching two years, and the fact that it also applies to balance transfers is key, given that balance transfer cards in general are harder to find right now. It does charge a balance transfer fee, and you won’t earn rewards. But if your goal is financing a large purchase or paying off debt, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better offer.
Our pick for
Airline card
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 4/28/2021.
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn now. Travel when you're ready. After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit on your Card to inspire your next travel.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Miles don't expire
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Best for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers only
- American Express isn’t accepted as widely as Visa or Mastercard internationally
Why We Like It
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card snags this award for the first time, in part because it launched two new bonus categories in the past year, making it a more useful card for everyday spending. It earns 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, on top of the double miles it offers on eligible Delta purchases. The annual fee is waived in the first year, and there’s an extremely generous checked-bag benefit that other airline credit cards don’t come close to matching. Terms apply. It’s also worth noting that Delta topped NerdWallet’s list of the best airlines to fly during COVID-19, thanks to its health and safety protocols and flexible booking policies.
Our pick for
Hotel card
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status everytime you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee
- High-value rewards
- Free night every anniversary year
- Automatic elite status
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Hyatt has a smaller footprint than other brands
Why We Like It
A winner here last year as well, World of Hyatt Credit Card continues to offer exceptional value for its $95 annual fee, including most notably a free night every anniversary year that can easily offset that cost — plus a way to earn a second one if you spend enough. It offers automatic elite status, too. There’s a rich sign-up bonus, not to mention high ongoing rewards in everyday categories, and those rewards are worth more than double the value of points you earn with larger rival hotel chains. And in NerdWallet’s analysis of hotels that have handled COVID-19 the best, Hyatt was among the top chains in terms of health and social distancing policies.
Our pick for
College students
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
12.99% - 21.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
Rec Credit Score
630-689
Average
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Good Grades Rewards: $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- Earn rewards while building your credit history that can help you after graduation. And, get your free Credit Scorecard that includes your FICO® Credit Score and important details that help make up your score.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Refer-a-Friend: Once you become a Discover it® Student cardmember, you can earn a statement credit each time you refer a friend and they’re approved. Over half a million students got Discover Cards from their friends' recommendations.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
Pros
- No FICO history required.
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Higher rewards available elsewhere
- Discover cards not widely accepted outside the U.S.
Why We Like It
The Discover it® Student chrome won this award last year, too, and the same features push it to the head of the class again for 2021: simplicity and student-friendly rewards. Unlike some other Discover cards, there’s no tracking or activating of bonus categories — what busy student has time for that? Instead, you earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases. You’re eligible for Discover’s cash-back match bonus, and if you have good grades you may qualify for a $20 credit each year for up to five years. One thing to note, however, if you’re studying abroad: Discover is not as widely accepted outside the U.S. as Visa or Mastercard are.
Our pick for
Building credit
Top 10 credit card offers for 2021
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
Rec Credit Score
300-629
Poor
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- Using your secured credit card helps build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, prepaid and debit cards can’t do that.
- Establish your credit line with your tax return by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
- Offers rewards and a sign-up bonus
- Chance to upgrade to unsecured account after 8 months
Cons
- Requires minimum deposit of $200
- Discover cards not widely accepted outside the U.S.
Why We Like It
The $0-annual-fee Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a perennial winner here, and it’s little wonder why. For starters, it’s the rare secured card that offers ongoing rewards on your spending. More important, there’s a clear “graduation” path: After eight months, Discover automatically begins reviewing your account for a possible upgrade to a regular unsecured card, at which point your deposit can be returned to you.
Our pick for
Small-business cash back
Best credit cards for specific needs
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
20.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
- Purchase above your credit limit with no hassle and no over-limit fees
- $0 annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- High APR
Why We Like It
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business has snagged this award multiple times, with good reason. It offers a simple yet lucrative value proposition for business owners: Earn an unlimited 2% back on all purchases, with no bonus categories or spending caps to worry about. And that’s cash back, not points — meaning even if you’re not traveling much these days, you can easily use your rewards. There’s an annual fee, but it’s waived in the first year.
Our pick for
Groceries
Best credit cards for specific needs
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Leading cash-back rewards at U.S. supermarkets
- Rich bonus offer for new cardholders
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- Has annual fee — but if you spend more than $31 per week at U.S. supermarkets, the rewards offset the fee
- American Express isn’t accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- $25 minimum redemption
Why We Like It
If groceries have become an even bigger expense amid the pandemic, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express will reward you like no other card can, with an industry-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1%). Terms apply. And if you’re ordering groceries online, that rich rate also can apply to eligible third-party delivery services like Instacart, Peapod, Amazon Fresh and more. Plus, the card offers bonus cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, U.S. gas stations and eligible transit spending (1% back on everything else). There is an annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95. But you’ll offset it if you spend just $31 per week at U.S. supermarkets alone. Terms apply.
Our pick for
Dining out or ordering in
Best credit cards for specific needs
Annual Fee
$0*
Regular APR
14.99% - 23.99%* Variable APR
Intro APR
0%* intro APR on Purchases for 12 billing cycles* and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 12 Billing cycles
Rec Credit Score
720-850
Excellent
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That's a $200 value redeemable towards merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more
- Earn 4X points on takeout, food delivery and dining
- Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations and on streaming services
- $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix and Spotify
- No annual fee*
- 1X point per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- Low Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Points never expire
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Need excellent credit
Why We Like It
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card launched in 2020 with an essentially unrivaled value proposition: an eye-popping 4X rewards rate on dining — including takeout and delivery — for a $0* annual fee. To be sure, you can find cards that match or exceed that rate at restaurants, but those products all charge annual fees, ranging from almost $100 to nearly $500. This card costs nothing to carry and is also a solid option for groceries, gas and eligible streaming purchases.
Our pick for
Staying at home
Best credit cards for specific needs
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.24% - 22.24%, Variable
Intro APR
N/A
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- 5% Back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership*
- 2% Back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- 1% Back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- The information related to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card
Pros
- High rewards rate on Amazon purchases
- No minimum redemption amount
Cons
- No annual fee, but requires paid Amazon Prime membership
Why We Like It
In this new category for 2021, the $0-annual-fee Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card stands out for what it delivers on, well, whatever you get delivered. Yes, to get the card you must have an Amazon Prime membership, which isn’t free — but if you’re already among the well more than 100 million users of Prime in the U.S., it's an easy call. It offers 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, and that applies to purchases through services like Amazon Fresh, Prime Now and Prime Pantry. It also applies to WholeFoods.com. Plus, you’ll earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. Streaming services aren't a bonus category, but Prime video and music streaming services are included with your membership — which you can pay for (and earn 5% back on) with this card.
TO RECAP OUR EDITORIAL SELECTIONS
TOP 10 CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR 2021 | 2021's BEST CARDS FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS |
|---|---|
Best flat-rate cash-back card Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | Best small-business cash-back card Capital One Spark Cash for Business |
Best bonus rewards cash-back card Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Best card for groceries Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
Best flat-rate travel rewards card Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Best card for dining out or ordering in U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card |
Best bonus travel rewards card American Express® Gold Card | Best card for staying at home Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card |
Best no-annual-fee travel rewards card Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card | |
Best 0% intro APR and balance transfer card U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | |
Best airline card Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | |
Best hotel card World of Hyatt Credit Card | |
Best card for college students Discover it® Student chrome | |
Best card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
PAST YEARS
2020 award winners
Top 10 credit card offers of 2020
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer: Best for flat-rate cash back
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for bonus category cash back
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for bonus travel rewards
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card: Best for no-annual-fee travel rewards
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card: Best for balance transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for 0% intro APR
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best premium card
ABOC Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card: Best for fair credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit
2020's best credit cards for specific needs
Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best for small-business cash back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for small-business travel
Discover it® Student chrome: Best for college students
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for international students
United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline card
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best hotel card
Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®: Best store card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for families
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment
Ducks Unlimited Rewards Platinum Edition® Visa® Card: Best for gas
2019 award winners
Top 10 credit card offers of 2019
Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for flat-rate travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for bonus travel rewards
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card: Best for no-annual-fee travel
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer: Best for flat-rate cash back
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for bonus cash back
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card: Best for balance transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for 0% interest
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best premium card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for fair credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit
2019's best credit cards for specific needs
Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best for small-business cash back
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for small-business travel
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for college students
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card: Best airline card
Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card: Best hotel card
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best store card
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card: Best gas card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for families
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page.
Information about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Last updated on March 4, 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.