NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom large over household budgets, spending habits and financial goals — and once again it also influenced our votes as we chose the winning credit cards for NerdWallet's Best-Of Awards, 2022.
Travel has yet to fully rebound, so perhaps cushy lounge access is less important to you these days. Your comfort level with dining out may hinge entirely on your community's vaccination rates. Similarly, your idea of "entertainment" might still be more Netflix than a night on the town.
To that end, several new credit cards have hit the market over the past year, some promising simplicity, others offering rich incentives, and still others featuring rewards customized to your spending. Indeed, some of these new products cracked our awards list this year, dethroning longtime champions.
Here are our top credit card offers for 2022, along with a few more options representing the best credit cards for specific needs.
The shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom large over household budgets, spending habits and financial goals — and once again it also influenced our votes as we chose the winning credit cards for NerdWallet's Best-Of Awards, 2022.
Travel has yet to fully rebound, so perhaps cushy lounge access is less important to you these days. Your comfort level with dining out may hinge entirely on your community's vaccination rates. Similarly, your idea of "entertainment" might still be more Netflix than a night on the town.
To that end, several new credit cards have hit the market over the past year, some promising simplicity, others offering rich incentives, and still others featuring rewards customized to your spending. Indeed, some of these new products cracked our awards list this year, dethroning longtime champions.
Here are our top credit card offers for 2022, along with a few more options representing the best credit cards for specific needs.
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's website | Best for Simple cash back | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers | 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR | Apply now on Wells Fargo's website |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Bonus cash back | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 15.74%- | Apply now on Chase's website |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Basic travel rewards | $95 | N/A | 16.24%- | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Travel perks | $550 | N/A | 17.74%- | Apply now on Chase's website |
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's website | Best for 0% intro APR and balance transfer | $0 | 0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers | 14.49%- | Apply now on Wells Fargo's website |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Airline card | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | N/A | 17.24%- | Apply now on American Express' website |
World of Hyatt Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Hotel card | $95 | N/A | 16.74%- | Apply now on Chase's website |
Discover it® Student chrome Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for College students | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months | 13.74%- | Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for Building credit | $0 | 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months | 23.74% Variable APR | Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Small business | $0 | 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening | 14.74%- | Apply now on American Express' website |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Groceries | $95 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months | 15.49%- | Apply now on American Express' website |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card Apply now on US Bank's website | Best for Dining | $0 | 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | 16.49%- | Apply now on US Bank's website |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Best for Entertainment | $95 | N/A | 16.24%, 21.24% or 24.24%, Variable APR | Read review |
Our pick for
Simple cash back
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
$0
0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR
Pros
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No bonus categories
Pros
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No bonus categories
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
$0 annual fee
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
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 Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Bonus cash back
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
15.74%-24.49% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Intro APR period
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Intro APR period
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 15.74% - 24.49%.
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
See if you qualify for a better offer with Chase:
Get Pre-Qualified
Our pick for
Basic travel rewards
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$95
N/A
16.24%-24.24% Variable APR
Pros
High rewards rate
Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
High annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
High rewards rate
Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
High annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Requires good/excellent credit
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 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 a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through our Partner Lounge Network
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Our pick for
Travel perks
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$550
N/A
17.74%-24.74% Variable APR
Pros
High rewards rate
Luxury perks
Premium travel protections
Transfer partners
Primary rental car coverage
Cons
High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Pros
High rewards rate
Luxury perks
Premium travel protections
Transfer partners
Primary rental car coverage
Cons
High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
New Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Our pick for
0% intro APR and balance transfer
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
$0
0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
14.49%-26.49% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No rewards
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No rewards
0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. 14.49% to 26.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min $5
$0 Annual Fee
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can earn cash back in the form of a statement credit while you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using your eligible Wells Fargo Credit Card
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Airline card
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
N/A
17.24%-26.24% Variable APR
Pros
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Rewards don't expire
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Rewards don't expire
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
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 ends 8/3/2022.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
$100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Hotel card
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
N/A
16.74%-23.74% Variable APR
Pros
New cardholder bonus offer
Automatic free night annually
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
Cons
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Limited redemptions
Pros
New cardholder bonus offer
Automatic free night annually
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
Cons
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Limited redemptions
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
Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort.
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 every time 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 airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
Our pick for
College students
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
$0
0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
13.74%-22.74% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Qualify with average credit
Bonus categories
Cons
Complicated rewards
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Qualify with average credit
Bonus categories
Cons
Complicated rewards
No credit score required to apply.
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.
NEW! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 13.74% - 22.74% applies.
Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Building credit
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
$0
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
23.74% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Qualify with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
Requires minimum deposit
High APR
Pros
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Qualify with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
Requires minimum deposit
High APR
No credit score required to apply.
No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200. That means a $200 deposit for a $200 credit line. Or a $500 deposit for a $500 credit line. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit, and the security deposit equals your credit limit.
Automatic reviews starting at 7 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.
NEW! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Small business
NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2022
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
14.74%-22.74% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Cons
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Cons
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% - 22.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Groceries
Best credit cards for specific needs
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$95
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
15.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Pros
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Pros
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a fixed monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 15.49% to 25.49%
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.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
$95 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Dining
Best credit cards for specific needs
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
$0
0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
16.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cons
Complicated rewards
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cons
Complicated rewards
Intro Offer: 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.
4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery.
2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more!
2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and EV charging stations
1X point on all other eligible purchases.
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 16.49% - 25.49%.
No Annual Fee
Points never expire
Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Entertainment
Best credit cards for specific needs
$95
N/A
16.24%, 21.24% or 24.24%, Variable APR
Pros
No foreign transaction fee
Rich rewards on dining, entertainment
Broad definition of entertainment
Generous sign-up bonus
Cons
Has annual fee
High APR, no 0% intro period
Pros
No foreign transaction fee
Rich rewards on dining, entertainment
Broad definition of entertainment
Generous sign-up bonus
Cons
Has annual fee
High APR, no 0% intro period
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats.
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn.
No foreign transaction fees.
Capital One cardholders get access to premium experiences in dining, entertainment and more.
TO RECAP OUR EDITORIAL SELECTIONS
TOP CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR 2022 | 2022's BEST CARDS FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS |
---|---|
Best card for simple cash back Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Best small-business cash-back card American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card |
Best card for bonus cash back Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Best card for groceries Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
Best basic travel rewards card Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Best card for dining U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card |
Best card for travel perks Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best card for entertainment Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Best 0% intro APR and balance transfer card Wells Fargo Reflect℠ 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
Last updated on June 23, 2022