11 Excellent Credit Cards of 2022
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.
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NerdWallet's Excellent Credit Cards of 2022
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Cash Back — High Flat Rate + Incentives
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for Lucrative Rewards for Everyday Spending
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for Long 0% Interest Periods for Balance Transfers
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Cash Back on Everyday Spending
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for Long 0% Period for Transfers and Purchases
Discover it® Balance Transfer: Best for Balance Transfers and Bonus Categories
Excellent Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 16.99%-27.99% Variable APR | ||
| Excellent for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards | $95 | N/A | 20.74%-28.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website | |
| Excellent for Airline Miles and a Large Bonus | $95 | N/A | 21.24%-28.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase'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 | 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website | |
| Excellent for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.74%-28.49% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
| Excellent for Lucrative Rewards for Everyday Spending | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application | |
| Excellent for Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.74%-29.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website | |
| Excellent for Long 0% Interest Periods for Balance Transfers | $0 | 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases | 17.99%-28.74% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application | |
| Excellent for Cash Back on Everyday Spending | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' 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 | 17.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website | |
| Excellent for Balance Transfers and Bonus Categories | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 16.99%-27.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Discover's website |
Excellent for: Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
16.99%-27.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 16.99% to 27.99% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
Excellent for: Flat-Rate Travel Rewards
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.74%-28.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- 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®
- Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
- 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
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Excellent for: Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24%-28.24% 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 Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel 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
Excellent for: Cash Back — High Flat Rate + Incentives
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
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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, then a 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR; 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
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates & Fees
Excellent for: Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.74%-28.49% 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 Ultimate Rewards®, 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 Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 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 19.74% - 28.49%.
- 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, real-time alerts, and more.
Excellent for: Lucrative Rewards for Everyday Spending
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.99%-28.99% 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 18.99% - 28.99%, 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.
- 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
Excellent for: Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.74%-29.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 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; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Excellent for: Long 0% Interest Periods for Balance Transfers
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Regular APR
17.99%-28.74% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.99% - 28.74%, 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 5% 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.
- View Rates & Fees
Excellent for: Cash Back on Everyday Spending
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.99%-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, 18.99% 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 in purchases, then 1%.
- Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Excellent for: Long 0% Period for Transfers and Purchases
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
17.99%-29.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.99% to 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
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (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.
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates & Fees
Excellent for: Balance Transfers and Bonus Categories
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
16.99%-27.99% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
- 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, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
