The Best Credit Cards Have Three Things in Common
The best credit cards help you tackle your goals and priorities, they meet you where you are in life and they deliver value on your top expenses.
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There's no such thing as the single "best" credit card; there's only the best credit card "for you." But in terms of finding that best fit, all of the best credit cards on the market share a few common traits.
When evaluating any credit card, consider how it fits with the following:
1. The best credit cards fit your goals
Before you can find the best credit card for you, ask yourself what it is you'd like to accomplish with one. There are basically three main kinds — credit-building cards, interest-saving cards and rewards cards — but within those categories are various subsets.
Some possible goals include:
Getting started with credit
If you have no credit history, or very little, consider cards designed for thin credit profiles. Some options:
Repairing credit
If you have poor credit (FICO scores of 629 or lower), you still have options. They include some of the secured cards listed above, but also:
Financing a purchase
If you've got a large expense coming up and want some breathing room on interest as you pay it off, consider the following kinds of cards:
Paying off debt
If you're aiming to chip away at existing debt, then transferring that balance to a card with a lower APR can help. Consider:
Earning cash back
The following cards earn the most flexible reward of all — cold hard cash:
Traveling
Whether you're seeking points or miles with a specific airline or hotel, or you want general travel rewards that can be redeemed anywhere, you have many options:
- Also see: Best for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
- Also see: Best for Marriott Bonvoy hotels, Hilton Hotels.
Enjoying the benefits of good credit
Credit scores in the 700s open up more options with richer rewards and friendlier terms:
Investing
Some credit cards offer a way to help you supplement longer-term goals:
Snagging store discounts or other side perks
If you're loyal to a specific retailer or brand, you might benefit from a card that rewards that loyalty, or one that protects those purchases:
2. The best credit cards fit your lifestyle
The best credit cards meet you where you (and your credit scores) are in life. If you know what your credit scores are, you'll have a great idea of the kinds of cards you can reasonably expect to qualify for. The higher your scores, the better your credit card options.
But the best credit cards for you also tend to change over the course of your life, as your needs and circumstances also change. Here are some of the best cards for specific life stages:
Students
Merely being a student isn't enough to qualify for a student credit card; you'll need to be at least 18, and even then, if you're younger than 21, you'll have to show proof of independent income to get your own credit card. If you meet those standards, check out these cards:
Recent graduates
Your options after graduation may still be limited depending on your credit history, but here's where to start looking:
Members of the military
Several credit cards can save you money on interest and fees during your service:
Couples
Maybe you've recently moved in with a significant other — or maybe you've popped the question and are planning a wedding. Here are some helpful credit card options:
Parents
About to have your first child? Or already a parent many times over? Don't worry, there are credit cards that can work well for you:
Homeowners
Whether you just bought a home or you're renovating an existing one, check out these credit card options:
Business operators
These credit cards are good picks for all kinds of business owners — from those with large office spaces and multiple employees, to those who work for themselves, to those who merely have a side hustle:
Retirees
If you've stepped away from the workforce, there are some cards that could be right for you:
Patients
Medical bills can get expensive in a hurry, and running up a balance on a credit card to pay for them isn't necessarily ideal. But emergencies happen, and some cards do have features that can be helpful when used responsibly:
3. The best credit cards fit your spending
The best credit cards deliver consistent value for your everyday expenses, in the form of rewards, perks, discounts and more.
Whatever the largest line item is in your budget, there's likely a card to match it, including cards for:
Diners
If you're looking to rake in restaurant rewards, here are the credit cards to consider:
Grocery-getters
On the other hand, if you mostly cook at home, you may want to look into these cards:
Drivers
If you're a road warrior, perhaps the pump (or the charging station) is where you drop the majority of your cash:
Commuters
Maybe instead of driving, you rely on mass transit or ridesharing:
Fun-seekers
Amusement can take many forms: a night out, a live concert or play, a football game and more. If you frequently paint the town red, here are some cards that can help you wield that brush:
Streamers
If your idea of a fun evening is cozying up on the couch with "Stranger Things" or the latest Marvel superhero flick, then look for a card that rewards you on eligible streaming services:
Gamers
Swooning over your Nintendo Switch? Seeking ways to power up your PlayStation habit IRL? These cards could play right into your hands.
Shoppers
If retail therapy is your jam, these are your best options:
Pet owners
Got a fur baby to spoil? These credit cards can help with that:
Sports fans
Whether you're a spectator or a participant on the field yourself, or even just a gym rat, these credit cards may be right up your alley:
Or maybe you're just looking for a card from a particular issuer or on a particular network? No problem! See our best cards from: Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Discover || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || US Bank || Wells Fargo.
Bottom line
These are not comprehensive lists of possible credit card goals or lifestyles or spending habits, but the best credit cards for you will offer value in those areas. You may even find they offer secondary perks and benefits that come in handy, like insurance, purchase protection, zero-liability fraud policies, budgeting tools and more.
Plus, responsible use of credit cards — meaning paying them back on time and, ideally, in full every month — will help strengthen your credit profile, which can open doors to better rates on other financial products, like mortgages and auto loans.
To compare your options, see NerdWallet's list of best credit cards.
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