BEST CREDIT CARDSBEST CREDIT CARDSCREDIT CARD AWARD WINNERS OF 2024
BEST OF

Credit Card Award Winners of 2024

Updated: Mar 18, 2024
Caitlin Mims
Written by
Content Management Specialist
Paul Soucy
Reviewed by
Lead Assigning Editor
Erin Hurd
Edited by
Fact Checked
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Caitlin Mims
Written by
Content Management Specialist
Paul Soucy
Reviewed by
Lead Assigning Editor
Erin Hurd
Edited by
Fact Checked
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
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.
  • 250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts

  • 80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

  • 100+ categories of best credit card selections (See our top picks)

  • Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

NerdWallet's Credit Card Award Winners of 2024

Credit Card Award Winners From Our Partners

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Find the right credit card for you.

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.

Find the right credit card for you.

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.

Our pick for

Simple cash back

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Bonus cash back

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

All-purpose travel rewards

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Premium travel card

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Balance transfer

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Airline card

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Hotel card

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

College students

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Building credit

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Small business

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

Groceries

Best credit cards for specific needs
Our pick for

Dining

Best credit cards for specific needs
Our pick for

Entertainment

Best credit cards for specific needs
Our pick for

Gas

Best cards for specific needs
Our pick for

0% APR for purchases

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024
Our pick for

No-annual-fee travel card

NerdWallet Credit Card Award Winners of 2024

TO RECAP OUR EDITORIAL SELECTIONS

TOP CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR 2024

2024's BEST CARDS FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS

Best card for simple cash back Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Best small-business cash-back card The 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 travel card with no annual fee Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Best card for gas Citi Custom Cash® Card

Best balance transfer card Citi Simplicity® Card

Best 0% APR card for purchases U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Best airline card United℠ Explorer 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

Top 10 credit offers of 2023

  • 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 travel perks

  • BankAmericard® credit card: Best for balance transfers

  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for 0% intro apr on new purchases

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best airline card

  • World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best hotel card

  • Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for students

  • Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit

2023's best credit cards for specific needs

  • Capital One SavorOne 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

  • Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for gas

  • The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for small business

Top 9 credit offers of 2022

  • 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

2022's best credit cards for specific needs

  • 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

  • The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card : Best for small business

Top 10 credit card offers of 2021

  • 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

2021's best credit cards for specific needs

  • 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

  • Prime Visa: Best for staying at home

Top 10 credit card offers of 2020

  • 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

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 Visa® Card: Best for gas

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: 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® credit card: Best airline card

  • Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card: Best hotel card

  • Prime Visa: 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

Top 10 credit card offers of 2018

  • 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

Top 10 credit card offers of 2017

  • 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

Top 10 credit card offers of 2016

  • 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

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. To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page.

Last updated on March 18, 2024

Methodology

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.

About the author

Portrait of author

Caitlin Mims

Caitlin Mims is a content management specialist at NerdWallet covering credit cards. Previously, she was an editor at CreditCards.com. Read more
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