Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
As in many years, there’s been a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly economic circumstances for consumers — and we considered it all as we chose the winning credit cards for NerdWallet’s Best-Of Awards, 2023.
The good? Many credit card issuers are still offering sky-high bonuses for new cardholders, and some cards even added new perks. The bad (and sometimes ugly): inflation weighed on consumer’s household budgets and spending habits this year. But the good news is that the right credit cards can help you fight back against inflation by earning rich rewards, offering long 0% interest periods or including added perks that save you money.
Here are our top credit card offers for 2023, along with a few more options representing the best credit cards for specific needs.
Show summary
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Simple cash back
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for Bonus cash back
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for All-purpose travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Premium travel card
BankAmericard® credit card: Best for Balance transfer
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Airline card
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hotel card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for College students
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for Building credit
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for Small business
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Groceries
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: Best for Dining
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Entertainment
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for Gas
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for 0% APR for purchases
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for Simple cash back | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months from account opening and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers | 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website | |
Best for Bonus cash back | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.74%-28.49% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for All-purpose travel rewards | $95 | N/A | 21.24%-28.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for Premium travel card | $550 | N/A | 21.74%-28.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for Balance transfer | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 21 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days | 15.99%-25.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Bank of America's website,or call (800) 322-7707 | |
Best for Airline card | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | N/A | 20.74%-29.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website | |
Best for Hotel card | $95 | N/A | 20.74%-27.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for College students | $0 | N/A | 19.74%-29.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website | |
Best for Building credit | $0 | 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months | 27.99% Variable APR | ||
Best for Small business | $0 | 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening | 18.24%-26.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website | |
Best for Groceries | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website | |
Best for Dining | $0 | 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | 19.99%-28.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on US Bank's website | |
Best for Entertainment | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.74%-29.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website | |
Best for Gas | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application | |
![]() Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply Now on Bank of America's website,or call (877) 754-6706 | Best for 0% APR for purchases | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days | 17.99%-27.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Bank of America's website,or call (877) 754-6706 |
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months from account opening and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
No bonus categories
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
No bonus categories
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.74%-28.49% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24%-28.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Primary rental car coverage
Flexible rewards redemption
Transfer partners
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Primary rental car coverage
Flexible rewards redemption
Transfer partners
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.74%-28.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
High rewards rate
Luxury perks
Premium travel protections
Transfer partners
Primary rental car coverage
High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
High rewards rate
Luxury perks
Premium travel protections
Transfer partners
Primary rental car coverage
High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 21 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
15.99%-25.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
No ongoing rewards
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
No ongoing rewards
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.74%-29.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Rewards don't expire
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Rewards don't expire
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.74%-27.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
New cardholder bonus offer
Automatic free night annually
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Limited redemptions
New cardholder bonus offer
Automatic free night annually
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Limited redemptions
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
19.74%-29.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
Bonus categories
No rewards caps
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
High APR
No annual fee
Bonus categories
No rewards caps
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
High APR
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
Regular APR
27.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Qualify with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Requires minimum deposit
High APR
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Qualify with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Requires minimum deposit
High APR
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Regular APR
18.24%-26.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.99%-29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99%-28.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Complicated rewards
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Complicated rewards
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.74%-29.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
No foreign transaction fees
Requires good/excellent credit
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
No foreign transaction fees
Requires good/excellent credit
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.99%-28.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
5% bonus categories
Intro APR Period
Low rate outside bonus categories
Requires good/excellent credit
No annual fee
5% bonus categories
Intro APR Period
Low rate outside bonus categories
Requires good/excellent credit
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
17.99%-27.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Rotating bonus categories
Relationship rewards for customers
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Best rewards limited to certain customers
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Rotating bonus categories
Relationship rewards for customers
Intro APR period
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Best rewards limited to certain customers
TOP CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR 2023 | 2023'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 all-purpose travel rewards card Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best card for dining U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card |
Best premium travel card Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best card for entertainment Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Best balance transfer card BankAmericard® credit card | Best card for gas Citi Custom Cash℠ Card |
Best 0% intro APR on purchases card Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | |
Best airline card Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | |
Best hotel card World of Hyatt Credit Card | |
Best card for college students Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | |
Best card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card : Best for simple cash back
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for bonus cash back
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for basic travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for travel perks
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card : Best for intro 0% APR and balance transfer
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card : Best airline card
World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best hotel card
Discover it® chrome : Best for students
Discover it® Secured Credit Card : Best for building credit
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for entertainment
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card : Best for dining
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : Best for groceries
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card : Best for small business
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for flat-rate cash back
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for bonus cash back
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate travel rewards
American Express® Gold Card: Best for bonus travel rewards
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card: Best for no-annual-fee travel rewards
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for 0% intro APR and balance transfer
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best airline card
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best hotel card
Discover it® Student chrome: Best for college students
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit
Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best for small-business cash back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: Best for dining out or ordering in
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for staying at home
Citi® Double Cash Card: 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
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 Visa® Card: Best for gas
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: 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
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® 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
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best flat-rate travel rewards card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best bonus category travel rewards card
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best flat-rate cash back card
Discover it® Cash Back: Best bonus category cash back card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best family card
Citi Simplicity® Card: Best 0% Intro APR card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best card for fair/average credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best card for building credit
Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best card for college students
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express: Best small business card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best flat-rate travel rewards card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best bonus category travel rewards card
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best flat-rate cash back card
Chase Freedom®: Best bonus category cash back card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best card for everyday spending
Chase Slate®: Best card for balance transfers
Citi Simplicity® Card: Longest 0% Intro APR period
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best card for fair/average credit
Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best card for college students
Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best small business card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for travel
(TIE) — Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®: Easiest travel redemption
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for cash back
Chase Freedom®: Best for bonus categories
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for everyday spending
Chase Slate®: Best for balance transfers
Citi Simplicity® Card: Longest 0% Intro APR period
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students: Best for students
Ink Plus® Business Credit Card: Best for business
Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard®: Best for fair/average credit
Last updated on June 1, 2023
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit 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 as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
Erin Hurd is a credit card and travel rewards expert at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in Yahoo, Nasdaq, TheStreet, International Living, the Daily Reckoning, Personal Finance and FinanceBuzz. Previously the director of strategic growth at a large financial publishing company, Erin is passionate about harnessing the power of credit card and loyalty rewards to travel the world. When she's not writing, she's planning the next adventure for her family of four using points and miles. Twitter: @ErinHurd1. Read more