Your shortcut to the best credit cards for you
Our Nerds researched more than 250 credit cards, narrowing down to just one winner per category.
Your shortcut to the best credit cards for you
Our Nerds researched 280 credit cards, narrowing down to just one winner per category.


Find a top credit card — fast

BEST ALL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS CARD 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-5x
Points
Intro offer
75,000
Points
Regular APR
19.49%-27.74% Variable APR
Points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
Points on dining.
Points on select streaming services.
Points on online groceries.
Points on all other travel purchases.
Point on all other purchases.
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
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Primary rental car coverage
Flexible rewards redemption
Transfer partners
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Even though this card lost its 1.25-cent redemption rate on certain travel, its rich rewards, multiple transfer partners and primary rental car insurance still make it nearly a must-have for travelers.

BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CARD 2026
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee
$395
Rewards rate
2x-10x
Miles
Intro offer
75,000
Miles
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Miles on all other purchases.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
Lounge membership
Anniversary perk
Flexible rewards redemption
High annual fee
Requires excellent credit

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card’s $395 annual fee is easily offset with a yearly travel credit, anniversary bonus and lounge access. Plus, with 2X miles on most purchases, you’ll easily earn rewards no matter how you spend your money.

BEST TRAVEL CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE 2026
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-3x
Points
Intro offer
20,000
Points
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases
Regular APR
18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Unlimited Points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.
Unlimited Points on other purchases.
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
$0 annual fee.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
No annual fee
Bonus categories
No reward caps
Cell phone insurance
New cardholder bonus offer
No free checked bags
No free anniversary night
No luxury perks
Requires good/excellent credit

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card’s hefty rewards and useful transfer partners give it outsized value for no annual fee. Plus, its lack of foreign transaction fees means it's ideal for international travel.

BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARD 2026
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
2x-17x
Points
Intro offer
5 Free Night Awards
Regular APR
19.49%-27.99% Variable APR
Up to 17x total points for every $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
Points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Our best offer is back and better than ever! Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
2026 Exclusive Offer: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually.
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
Member FDIC
Anniversary perk
High rewards rate
Automatic elite status
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card’s bonus categories, free night award and sign-up bonus more than make up for its $95 annual fee. Plus, Marriott’s massive footprint makes it easy to redeem rewards no matter where you’re headed.

BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARD 2026
United℠ Explorer Card

United℠ Explorer Card
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
Rewards rate
1x-2x
Miles
Intro offer
60,000
Miles
Regular APR
19.99%-28.49% Variable APR
Miles on United® purchases
Miles per $1 spent on dining.
Miles per $1 spent on hotel stays when booked with the hotel.
Mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Priority boarding on United® flights
2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
Over $500 in partner credits each year
Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Member FDIC
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
New cardholder bonus offer
Free checked bag
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card got an overhaul in 2025, including a higher annual fee. Still, its slew of statement credits, free checked bags and lounge day passes make it a great pick for United flyers.

BEST ALL-PURPOSE CASH BACK CREDIT CARD 2026
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
2%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
APR
18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Unlimited Cash rewards on purchases.
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% 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.
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
No bonus categories

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

You’ll get 2% cash back on all purchases and a rich sign-up bonus with a single card. That’s market-leading and makes this card a smart one for everyday spending.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR GROCERIES 2026
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Rewards rate
1%-6%
Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening
APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
Cash Back on other purchases.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Low Intro APR: 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 Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

An industry-leading rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets makes it worth the annual fee. Generous rewards in other categories just add to the appeal. Terms apply.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR GAS 2026
Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
APR
18.24%-28.24% Variable APR
Cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
Cash back on all other purchases.
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.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
No annual fee
5% bonus categories
Intro APR Period
Low rate outside bonus categories

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

It's a versatile card, but use it just for gas and you’ll earn an impressive 5% back per billing cycle, up to $500 spent — for no annual fee.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR DINING 2026
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-8%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Purchase intro APR
0% intro on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer APR
0% intro on balance transfers for 12 months; balance transfer fee applies
APR
18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Cash back on dining.
Cash back on entertainment.
Cash back on popular streaming services.
Cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
Cash back on all other purchases.
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
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
No foreign transaction fees
Requires good/excellent credit

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Several cards earn 3% back at restaurants, but this one also offers that rate at grocery stores, as well as on entertainment and eligible streaming services. Its lack of an annual fee or foreign transaction fee makes it hard to beat.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ENTERTAINMENT 2026
Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card

Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-4%
Cashback
Intro offer
$100
Regular APR
18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Cash rewards on self-care like gym memberships, spas, and salons.
Cash rewards on select sports, recreation, and entertainment.
Cash rewards on planet-friendly purchases like EV-charging stations, public transportation, and select thrift stores.
Cash rewards on other purchases.
Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$0 annual fee.
Earn unlimited 4% cash rewards on self-care, select sports, recreation, entertainment and impact purchases including public transportation, and EV charging.
Earn 1% cash rewards on other purchases.
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection per claim against damage, theft, and unintended separation when you pay your monthly phone bill with your Attune Card. Subject to a $25 deductible
Zero Liability Protection- Built-in protection features ensure that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they're reported promptly
The information related to the Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
No annual fee
Bonus categories
New cardholder bonus
Requires good/excellent credit

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card earns a massive 4% back on a wide variety of entertainment expenses, like concerts and sporting events, plus public transportation, secondhand shops and some self-care purchases.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ONLINE SHOPPING 2026
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening
APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back on other purchases.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.
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 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 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 $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card earns an impressive 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year), making it a great choice for digital shopping. It also features U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations as bonus categories. Terms apply.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR STREAMING 2026
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Rewards rate
1%-6%
Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening
APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
Cash Back on other purchases.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Low Intro APR: 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 Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card earns a whopping 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Plus, the yearly statement credit on the Disney Bundle offsets its $95 annual fee and then some. Terms apply.

BEST 0% APR CREDIT CARD FOR PURCHASES 2026
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening
APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back on other purchases.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.
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 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 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 $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

With its high cash-back rates on U.S. online retail purchases, this card can help you finance big-ticket items. Plus, you can use your card immediately after approval, making it useful in emergencies. Terms apply.

BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARD 2026
Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
APR
17.49%-28.24% Variable APR
No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.49% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
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).
Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
No annual fee
Intro APR period
No rewards
No new cardholder bonus offer
Requires good/excellent credit

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card’s long 0% intro APR on balance transfers (up to 21 months), low transfer fee and lack of late fees make it a standout choice.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR BUILDING CREDIT 2026
Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2%
Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Regular APR
26.49% Variable APR
Cash back at Gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Cash back at Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Cash back on all other purchases.
No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
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, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on the dark web. Activate for free.
Terms and conditions apply.
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Apply with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Requires minimum deposit
High APR

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card offers ideal features for its category, like no annual fee and automatic reviews for a potential upgrade to an unsecured card. It even earns rewards.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS 2026
Discover it® Student Chrome

Discover it® Student Chrome
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2%
Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months
APR
16.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Cash back at Gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Cash back at Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Cash back on all other purchases.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem cash back for any amount
No credit score required to apply.
No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
Terms and conditions apply.
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Apply with average credit
Bonus categories
Complicated rewards

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

This card earns solid rewards on gas and restaurants and even comes with a bonus offer for new cardholders. Better yet: You can get approved with no credit history.

BEST SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT CARD 2026
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$750
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Regular APR
16.99%-24.99% Variable APR
Cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
Cash back on every purchase made for your business.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
Member FDIC
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer
No bonus categories

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Straightforward rewards (1.5% back on all purchases), a long intro APR period, no annual fee and a generous welcome offer make this card an easy choice for any business. The cherry on top: Cash back is earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which makes the benefit more flexible, and potentially more valuable, than rewards from other top-rated business cards.
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Frequently asked questions
NerdWallet's award winners are chosen through a rigorous evaluation process involving 37 writers and editors. NerdWallet's ratings formulas for credit cards, for example, consider the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel, or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and other features. For more info, see our methodologies.
Our team of nerdy experts is composed of writers and editors — based all across the country — who have a combined 450 years of journalistic experience reviewing and writing about personal finance products for consumers.
Yes. Writers and editors use comprehensive scoring formulas that assess each financial product’s key features, weighting them according to their importance to consumers.
Nope. Editorial team members are solely responsible for creating all product reviews and ratings, and these assessments reflect their opinions alone. Only products that meet the editorial team’s standards appear in our Best-Of Awards lists, meaning no company can “buy” an award.
Our Best-Of Awards are given annually to the top financial products on the market. Our other “best” articles may:
• be longer than our Best-Of Awards list
• offer additional consumer choices
• get updated as products change or are discontinued and as new products emerge
This year's Best-Of-Awards list winners were chosen in mid-October 2025.