CREDIT CARDSCREDIT CARDSEXCELLENT CREDIT CARDS OF 2023
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6 Excellent Credit Cards of 2023

NerdWallet's Excellent Credit Cards of 2023

Excellent Credit Cards From Our Partners

Credit card
NerdWallet rating
Annual feeIntro APRRegular APR
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Discover it® Cash Back Image
Discover it® Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Excellent for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match

$0

0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

17.24%-28.24% Variable APR

Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Image
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Excellent for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®

$0

0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

20.49%-29.24% Variable APR

Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Image
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Excellent for Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee

$0

0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies

19.99%-29.99% Variable APR

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Image
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Excellent for Cash Back — High Flat Rate + Incentives

$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

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Image
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Excellent for Airline Miles and a Large Bonus

$95

N/A

21.49%-28.49% Variable APR

Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Image
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Excellent for Everyday Spending

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

19.24%-29.99% Variable APR

Excellent for: Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match

Discover it® Cash Back

NerdWallet rating
4.9
Discover it® Cash Back card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

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 $150 cash back into $300.

Rewards Rate
5%

Cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

1%

Cash back on all other purchases.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

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 $150 cash back into $300.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • 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 $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Bonus categories
  • Cash rewards
Cons
  • Complicated rewards
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Lower acceptance abroad
Read full review
Excellent for: Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
NerdWallet rating
Chase Freedom Unlimited® card image
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Rewards Rate
6.5%

Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

4.5%

Cash back on drugstore purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.

4.5%

Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

3%

Cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • High rewards rate
  • No minimum redemption amount
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee
NerdWallet rating
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards Rate
10%

Cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats.

8%

Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.

5%

Cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

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.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • 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 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Bonus categories
  • No foreign transaction fees
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Cash Back — High Flat Rate + Incentives
NerdWallet rating
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Rewards Rate
2%

Unlimited Cash Back on purchases.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific 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 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% 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.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
Cons
  • No bonus categories
Read full review
Excellent for: Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
NerdWallet rating
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Rewards Rate
5X

Points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

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.

Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Bonus categories
  • Primary rental car coverage
  • Flexible rewards redemption
  • Transfer partners
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Complicated rewards
Read full review
Excellent for: Everyday Spending
NerdWallet rating
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Rewards Rate
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.

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Recommended Credit
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 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.
  • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • Bonus categories
  • Intro APR period
  • Cash rewards
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
Read full review
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