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13 of 2021’s Smartest Cards — by Category
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. You can even see the cards organized into popular categories.
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NerdWallet's of 2021’s Smartest Cards — by Category
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Flat-rate travel rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Cash back — high flat rate + incentives
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Everyday Spending
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for Lucrative rewards for everyday spending
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Cash back on everyday spending
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
BankAmericard® credit card: Best for Cost-Effective Balance Transfer
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Flat Rate Cash Back
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for Long 0% period for transfers and purchases
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for Long 0% period for transfers and purchases
of 2021’s Smartest Cards — by Category From Our Partners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent for Flat-rate travel rewards | $95 | N/A | 19.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website | |
| 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 | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website | |
 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | 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 | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
| Excellent for Lucrative rewards for everyday spending | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | |
 Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | Excellent for Cash back on everyday spending | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' 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 | |
| Excellent for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | |
| Excellent for Cost-Effective Balance Transfer | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days | 16.24%-26.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Bank of America's website on Bank of America'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 | |
| Excellent for Flat Rate Cash Back | $0 | 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | |
| Excellent for Long 0% period for transfers and purchases | $0 | 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | 18.74%-29.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | |
| Excellent for Long 0% period for transfers and purchases | $0 | 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers | 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website |
Excellent for: Flat-rate travel rewards
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
19.99%-29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Excellent for: Cash back — high flat rate + incentives
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
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
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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
Excellent for: Everyday Spending
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Excellent for: Lucrative rewards for everyday spending
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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 19.24% - 29.24%, 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 6/30/2025.
- 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.
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Excellent for: Cash back on everyday spending
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- 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 Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Excellent for: Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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 Travel℠.
- 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. 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
Excellent for: Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%-28.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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 18.24% 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
Excellent for: Cost-Effective Balance Transfer
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
16.24%-26.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 16.24% - 26.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- No annual fee.
- No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
- Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Excellent for: Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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
Excellent for: Flat Rate Cash Back
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, 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
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Excellent for: Long 0% period for transfers and purchases
Apply Now
on U.S. Bank's website
on U.S. Bank's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.74%-29.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.74% - 29.74%.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
- Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on U.S. Bank's website
on U.S. Bank's website
Excellent for: Long 0% period for transfers and purchases
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
- View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
