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10 Excellent Credit Cards of 2020
From huge sign-up bonuses to generous rewards, we've picked credit cards that stand out from the crowd. Compare these deals, some of which are from our partners, to find the right one for you.
From huge sign-up bonuses to generous rewards, we've picked credit cards that stand out from the crowd. Compare these deals, some of which are from our partners, to find the right one for you.
Excellent for
Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Cash back match at the end of your first year
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Cons
- Slightly less merchant acceptance for Discover in US - acceptance outside of US can be an issue
- If you value simplicity, a flat rate cash back card may be better
Pros
- Cash back match at the end of your first year
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Cons
- Slightly less merchant acceptance for Discover in US - acceptance outside of US can be an issue
- If you value simplicity, a flat rate cash back card may be better
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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 each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Redeem cash back in any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Excellent for
Long 0% interest periods for balance transfers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.74% - 24.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 18 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% for 18 months on transfers if you qualify
Cons
- No rewards
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% for 18 months on transfers if you qualify
Cons
- No rewards
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
on Citibank's application
Excellent for
Flat Rate Cash Back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Balance Transfers
Cons
- No sign-up bonus
- No 0% APR for purchases
- $25 minimum redemption
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Balance Transfers
Cons
- No sign-up bonus
- No 0% APR for purchases
- $25 minimum redemption
- 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.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- 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 a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
on Citibank's application
Excellent for
Intro APR period with No Annual Fee
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Discover cards are not widely accepted outside of the U.S.
Pros
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Discover cards are not widely accepted outside of the U.S.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Redeem your cash back for any amount, any time. Cash rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. Based Customer Service available any time.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Excellent for
Frequent American Fliers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Regular APR
15.99% - 24.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Preferred boarding
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Best for frequent American Airlines flyers only
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Preferred boarding
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Best for frequent American Airlines flyers only
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants.
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight DIscount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your cardmembership year and renew your card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
on Citibank's application
Excellent for
Flat-Rate Travel Rewards with Miles Match
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 14 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 14 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Rewards can be redeemed for travel or cash back at equal value
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- Sign-up bonus
- Flexible redemption options
Cons
- No luxury perks
- Other cards offer higher rewards rates
- Discover cards not widely accepted outside the U.S.
- Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
- Rewards can be redeemed for travel or cash back at equal value
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- Sign-up bonus
- Flexible redemption options
Cons
- No luxury perks
- Other cards offer higher rewards rates
- Discover cards not widely accepted outside the U.S.
- Requires good/excellent credit
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover will automatically match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire.
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Excellent for
Everyday Spending
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Leading cash-back rewards at U.S. supermarkets
- Rich bonus offer for new cardholders
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- Has annual fee — but if you spend more than $31 per week at U.S. supermarkets, the rewards offset the fee
- American Express isn’t accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- $25 minimum redemption
Pros
- Leading cash-back rewards at U.S. supermarkets
- Rich bonus offer for new cardholders
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- Has annual fee — but if you spend more than $31 per week at U.S. supermarkets, the rewards offset the fee
- American Express isn’t accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- $25 minimum redemption
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 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.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- $95 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
on American Express's website
Excellent for
Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- High rewards rate and no minimum redemption
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- Has foreign transaction fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
- High rewards rate and no minimum redemption
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- Has foreign transaction fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
on Chase's website
Excellent for
Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- A large bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Cool factor - metal card
- Earn more points on travel and dining at restaurants
- Premium travel protection benefits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
Pros
- A large bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Cool factor - metal card
- Earn more points on travel and dining at restaurants
- Premium travel protection benefits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- 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®.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
on Chase's website
Excellent for
Everyday Spending With No Fee
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- No annual fee
- Bonus offer for new cardholders
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- American Express isn't accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- Requires good/excellent credit
- $25 minimum redemption
Pros
- Bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- No annual fee
- Bonus offer for new cardholders
- Intro APR period on Purchases
Cons
- American Express isn't accepted at as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard
- Requires good/excellent credit
- $25 minimum redemption
- Earn 20% back on purchases at Amazon.com on the Card in the first 6 months, up to $200 back.
- Plus, earn $100 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
on American Express's website
| Credit Card | NerdWallet Rating | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excellent for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match | 0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers | 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 | |
Excellent for Long 0% interest periods for balance transfers | 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 18 months | 14.74% - 24.74% Variable APR | $0 | on Citibank's application | |
Excellent for Flat Rate Cash Back | 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Citibank's application | |
Excellent for Intro APR period with No Annual Fee | 0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers | 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 | |
Excellent for Frequent American Fliers | N/A | 15.99% - 24.99% Variable APR | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | on Citibank's application | |
Excellent for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards with Miles Match | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 14 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 14 months | 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 | |
Excellent for Everyday Spending | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months | 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR | $95 | on American Express's website | |
Excellent for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred® | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 14.99% - 23.74% Variable APR | $0 | on Chase's website | |
Excellent for Airline Miles and a Large Bonus | N/A | 15.99% - 22.99% Variable APR | $95 | on Chase's website | |
Excellent for Everyday Spending With No Fee | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR | $0 | on American Express's website |
