Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Spending of March 2026

  1. Melissa Lambarena Author Avatar
  2. Caitlin Mims Author Avatar
  3. Kenley Young Author Avatar
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Reviewed by
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Last updated on February 20, 2026
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Melissa Lambarena Author Avatar+2
Written by
Last updated on February 20, 2026
Caitlin Mims Author Avatar
Reviewed by
Kenley Young Author Avatar
Edited by
Fact Checked

Whatever your definition of "entertainment," whether it's barhopping or binge-watching, a movie at the theater or a play at the theatre, there's at least one credit card (and often more than one) that will give you extra rewards for pursuing those passions.

  • 2026 Best credit card for dining

    Annual fee
    $0
    Rewards rate
    1%-8%
    Cashback
    Intro offer
    $200
    Recommended credit score
    Purchase intro APR
    0% intro on purchases for 12 months
    Balance transfer intro APR
    0% intro on balance transfers for 12 months; balance transfer fee applies
    Regular APR
    18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
    Rewards breakdown
    8%
    Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
    5%
    Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
    3%
    Cash back on dining.
    3%
    Cash back on entertainment.
    3%
    Cash back on popular streaming services.
    3%
    Cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
    1%
    Cash back on all other purchases.
    Card details
    • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
    • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
    • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
    • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
    • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 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
    • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
    • Top rated mobile app
    • View Rates & Fees
    NerdWallet's take

    The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an ideal companion for a night on the town, with restaurants and all kinds of entertainment spending earning unlimited 3% cash back.

    Pros
    • You'll earn 3% cash back at restaurants, at grocery stores, on entertainment and on popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. Purchases through Capital One Entertainment earn 8% back. Other spending earns 1%. The 3% "entertainment" category is broad, including such things as movies, plays, concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions, theme parks, aquariums, zoos, dance clubs, pool halls, bowling alleys and record stores. There's a solid bonus offer, too. And there's no annual fee.

    Cons
    • If your spending is more concentrated in one food category over the other — dining out or cooking at home — you might do better with a card that specializes in one of those areas.

    Read full review
  • 2026 Best credit card for streaming

    Annual fee
    $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
    Rewards rate
    1%-6%
    Cashback
    Intro offer
    As High as $300 cash back. Find Out Your Offer.
    Recommended credit
    Purchase intro APR
    0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
    Balance transfer intro APR
    0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening
    APR
    19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
    Rewards breakdown
    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.
    Card details
    • Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
    • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
    • Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
    • Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
    • Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
    • Terms Apply.
    • View Rates & Fees
    NerdWallet's take

    Eye-popping cash back rewards at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming services make the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express a superb card for at-home entertaining.

    Pros
    • You earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent per year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%); 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit; and 1% on other spending. There's also a superb bonus offer for new cardholders: You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

    Cons
    • This is the rare cash back card with an annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.. But you can make up for it with $131 a month in combined spending at U.S. supermarkets and on eligible streaming subscriptions, a very low bar for many households.

    Read full review
  • 2026 Best all-purpose travel rewards credit card

    Annual fee
    $95
    Rewards rate
    1x-5x
    Points
    Intro offer
    75,000
    points
    Regular APR
    19.24%-27.49% Variable APR
    Recommended credit score
    Rewards breakdown
    5x
    Points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
    3x
    Points on dining.
    3x
    Points on select streaming services.
    3x
    Points on online groceries.
    2x
    Points on all other travel purchases.
    1x
    Point on all other purchases.
    Card details
    • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
    • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
    • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
    • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
    • Member FDIC
    • View Rates & Fees
    NerdWallet's take

    If your version of entertainment requires a trip farther from home than the local watering hole, the introductory offer and ongoing rewards on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can help you pay for that excursion.

    Pros
    • You earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel booked through Chase; 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on travel not purchased through Chase; and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Redeem points for travel booked through Chase, or transfer them to a dozen airline and hotel programs. Bonus offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

    Cons
    • The card has an annual fee — $95 — but avid travelers will attest that the benefits can be well worth it.

    Read full review
  • Our pick for: Simplicity

    Annual fee
    $0
    Rewards rate
    2%-5%
    Cashback
    Intro offer
    $200
    Recommended credit score
    Balance transfer intro APR
    0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
    Regular APR
    17.49%-27.49% Variable APR
    Rewards breakdown
    2%
    Cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
    Card details
    • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
    • 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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
    • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
    • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
    • 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 an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
    • View Rates & Fees
    NerdWallet's take

    Entertainment optimizers may be able to earn higher rewards by juggling multiple cards. But the Citi Double Cash® Card appeals to those who like to keep things simple, with a high rate on all purchases.

    Pros
    • You earn 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy something and another 1% when you pay it off. No categories to track or bonus caps to worry about.

    Cons
    • There's no 0% intro APR offer on purchases, and the card charges a foreign transaction fee.

    Read full review
  • Our pick for: Unique experiences

    Annual fee
    $895
    Rewards rate
    1x-5x
    Points
    Intro offer
    As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
    APR
    See Pay Over Time APR
    Recommended credit
    Rewards breakdown
    5x
    Membership Rewards® Points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
    5x
    Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
    1x
    Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases.
    Card details
    • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
    • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
    • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
    • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
    • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
    • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
    • $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
    • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
    • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
    • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
    • $895 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
    • View Rates & Fees
    NerdWallet's take

    The American Express Platinum Card® is a great choice for those who travel enough to offset the annual fee with the card’s lavish perks. If your definition of entertainment includes travel and you value unique experiences, this card may match your lifestyle.

    Pros
    • This card can get you into curated By Invitation Only experiences. These are customized events for those interested in sports, fashion, fine dining, arts, theater and more. Plus, you’ll get access to a concierge service that can help you score event tickets. The extensive list of other perks on the card is too long to cover here (see our review for the full rundown). As for rewards, you can earn up to 5 points per dollar on eligible travel (terms apply), and the card's welcome offer is outstanding.

    Cons
    • There's no two ways about it: The $895 annual fee is a serious investment.

    Read full review

More about our picks

BACK TO TOP

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Nights out with no annual fee

Some credit cards reward you well for going out, others for staying in. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare card that does both. It offers a terrific cash-back rate not only on dining and entertainment but also at grocery stores and on popular streaming services. Toss in a good bonus offer and intro APR period, and this card is a winner. (see rates and fees). Read our review.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Our pick for: Entertaining at home

If your household spends a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is for you. The rewards it pays in those categories — particularly at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions — are among the richest of any card. There's a nice welcome offer for new cardholders and an introductory APR period, too. The generous benefits come at a cost, though: Unlike most cash-back cards, this one charges an annual fee. Terms apply. Read our review.

Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card

Our pick for: Broadest definition of entertainment

The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card is a wellness- and environment-focused credit card that offers an unlimited 4% back in cash rewards across a broad range of spending — from spas and gym memberships to EV charging and public transit. That rich rate also applies to a variety of "sports, recreation and entertainment" categories that can be their own forms of self-care: golf courses, amusement parks, eligible streaming services and much more. Read our review.

List of Wells Fargo Attune categories that earn 4% back

As of this writing, the following merchants will qualify as "self-care, planet-friendly, and recreation, sports and entertainment" purchases:

Self-care:

  • Beauty shops and barbershops.

  • Gym memberships and fitness studios.

  • Health and beauty spas.

  • Massage parlors.

Planet-friendly:

  • Antique shops.

  • Used merchandise and secondhand stores.

  • Bus lines.

  • Electric vehicle charging stations.

  • Local and suburban commuter passenger transportation, including ferries.

  • Passenger railways.

  • Other transportation services.

Sports, recreation and entertainment:

  • Artist supply and craft shops.

  • Camera and photographic supply stores.

  • Hobby, toy, and game shops.

  • Photofinishing laboratories and photo developing.

  • Sewing, needlework, fabric and piece goods stores.

  • Florists.

  • Florists supplies nursery stock and flowers.

  • Nurseries and lawn and garden supply stores.

  • Aquariums, seaquariums, dolphinariums, and zoos.

  • Amusement parks.

  • Billiard and pool establishments.

  • Bowling alleys.

  • Circuses, carnivals and fortune tellers.

  • Dance halls, studios and schools.

  • Public golf courses.

  • Recreation services not elsewhere classified.

  • Sporting and recreational camps.

  • Tourist attractions and exhibits.

  • Trailer parks and campgrounds.

  • Pet shops, pet foods, supplies stores and miscellaneous pet services.

  • Bicycle shops – sales and service.

  • Boat rentals and leasing.

  • Marinas, marine service and supplies.

  • Motor home and recreational vehicle rentals.

  • Sports and riding apparel stores.

  • Sporting goods stores.

  • Bands, orchestras and miscellaneous entertainers.

  • Commercial sports, professional sports clubs, athletic fields and sports promoters.

  • Ticket agencies and theatrical producers.

  • Bookstores.

  • Cable and other pay television.

  • Digital goods media – books, movies, digital artwork/images, music.

  • DVD/videotape rental stores.

  • Large digital goods merchant.

  • Motion picture theaters.

  • Music stores – musical instruments, pianos and sheet music.

  • Record stores.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Moviegoers

If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. It might be the most customizable cash back card available. You pick which categories earn the most cash back — you get two 5% categories and a 2% category — and you can change those options every quarter. There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. Read our review.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Our pick for: Live entertainment

The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back on other spending). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Travel rewards

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are potentially worth more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Our pick for: Simplicity

Year after year, the Citi Double Cash® Card has been a top choice among flat-rate cash-back cards. 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 bonus categories, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review.

American Express Platinum Card®

Our pick for: Unique experiences

The American Express Platinum Card® comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.

PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card

Our pick for: Gamers

You'll get bonus rewards on PlayStation purchases, as well as on Internet service and at restaurants. There are a few hoops to jump through — shopping with authorized retailers, for instance, and submitting a bonus points form — but if you spend a lot of money in the PlayStation ecosystem, it can be worth your time. Read our review.

• • •

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 Platinum Card®, see this page.

The information related to the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

How we choose the best credit cards

Our team of credit card experts has developed a rigorous methodology to determine how much value a card delivers and how it stacks up against its competitors.

400+

Cards reviewed

NerdWallet’s experts have reviewed more than 400 cards, from the most popular options at the biggest banks to store cards to niche cards from startups and small issuers.

8

Categories scored

Credit cards are so diverse that properly rating them with a single formula is impossible. We’ve built eight rubrics, plus variations, so we can score each card on what matters.

50+

Data points analyzed

Our ratings consider not just a card’s rates, fees, rewards and perks, but also how easy or hard it is to get that card, manage it and enjoy its advertised benefits.

Star rating categories

What you want out of, say, a cash back credit card is fundamentally different from what you’re looking for in a balance transfer card or a card for building credit. That’s why we have different scoring models that put weight on different features.

Cash back cards

Our formula looks at how much cash back you could expect to earn from typical household spending. We consider rewards rates and categories, bonus offers and the cash value of other benefits, as well as any annual fee. The rating is also influenced by the complexity of the rewards structure.

General travel cards

We consider how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending, along with per-point values and redemption options. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits, subtract annual fees and other costs, and take into account the complexity of the rewards structure.

Balance transfer cards

Our balance transfer rubric calculates how much money a card could save you with a low or 0% interest rate. Primary factors include the length and structure of the introductory APR period and the balance transfer fee. We also consider long-term value, such as whether the card offers rewards.

Branded airline cards

We calculate how many miles you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those miles are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free checked bags and lounge access, and we subtract annual fees and other costs.

Branded hotel cards

We calculate how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those points are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free nights and automatic elite status, and we subtract annual fees and other costs

Credit builder cards

Our rubric focuses on accessibility (such as whether a credit check is required), out-of-pocket costs (such as annual fees or minimum security deposits), credit-building features (such as bureau reporting and access to a free credit score) and upgrade options when you’re ready to move on.

College student cards

Our formula calculates the rewards you could expect to earn on spending typical for a college student and takes into account the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits. Accessibility to students without established credit is a key consideration, as is the effort required to manage the card.

Small business cards

Our star ratings criteria for small business credit cards are similar to those for consumer cards, although they account for potentially higher spending levels and higher credit limits, as well as rewards structures and bonus categories tailored specifically to entrepreneurs and business operators.

Cash back cards

Our formula looks at how much cash back you could expect to earn from typical household spending. We consider rewards rates and categories, bonus offers and the cash value of other benefits, as well as any annual fee. The rating is also influenced by the complexity of the rewards structure.

Cash back cards

General travel cards

We consider how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending, along with per-point values and redemption options. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits, subtract annual fees and other costs, and take into account the complexity of the rewards structure.

General travel cards

Balance transfer cards

Our balance transfer rubric calculates how much money a card could save you with a low or 0% interest rate. Primary factors include the length and structure of the introductory APR period and the balance transfer fee. We also consider long-term value, such as whether the card offers rewards.

Balance transfer cards

Branded airline cards

We calculate how many miles you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those miles are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free checked bags and lounge access, and we subtract annual fees and other costs.

Branded airline cards

Branded hotel cards

We calculate how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those points are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free nights and automatic elite status, and we subtract annual fees and other costs

Branded hotel cards

Credit builder cards

Our rubric focuses on accessibility (such as whether a credit check is required), out-of-pocket costs (such as annual fees or minimum security deposits), credit-building features (such as bureau reporting and access to a free credit score) and upgrade options when you’re ready to move on.

Credit builder cards

College student cards

Our formula calculates the rewards you could expect to earn on spending typical for a college student and takes into account the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits. Accessibility to students without established credit is a key consideration, as is the effort required to manage the card.

College student cards

Small business cards

Our star ratings criteria for small business credit cards are similar to those for consumer cards, although they account for potentially higher spending levels and higher credit limits, as well as rewards structures and bonus categories tailored specifically to entrepreneurs and business operators.

Small business cards

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards in various categories based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluations include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. Because different consumers can have markedly different needs, preferences and spending habits, we recognize that there is rarely a single credit card that is "best" for everyone. That's why this page includes a variety of options to suit an array of circumstances. Also, a single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories.

Our star ratings provide a quick way to compare credit cards. We assess the features of a card, score those features according to how they compare with other options on the market, and assign the card a rating of 1 to 5 stars based on those features. In general, a card that rates 4.5 stars will be a better value for more people than a card that rates 4.0 stars. However, the 4.0 card might be better than the 4.5 card for an individual consumer depending on that person’s circumstances. Further, ratings are only comparable within categories. If you're looking for rewards, for example, a 3.5-star cash back card will be of greater value than a 5.0-star balance transfer card or a 4.5-star credit-builder card. Star ratings are an important consideration in which cards appear on our "best" pages, but they are not the sole determining factor. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

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