Best Credit Cards

People often ask, "What is the best credit card?" The truth is that the best credit card depends on the exact purpose you intend to use it for (day-to-day purchases, balance transfers, etc.). Still, some cards do stand out overall. Our editors believe that the credit card offers listed below are among the best in combining most (or all) of the following features: 0% purchase intro rate, a low balance transfer intro rate, and great rewards for every dollar spent. Read more about our Editor's Picks for the Best Credit Cards.

best credit cards

More Options? Compare All Credit Cards

Up-to-date as of: May 21, 2012

Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit Excellent Credit
Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard

Citi Bank Credit Card Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% for 18 months
  • Transfer Intro Rate: 0% for 18 months
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 11.99% - 21.99% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: None
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Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

Cash Back Credit Card Application from CapitalOne Cash Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% until June 2013
  • Transfer Intro Rate: 0% until June 2013
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 12.9% - 20.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: $100
    • Base Earn: 1.5%
    • Max Earn: 1.5%
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card Application for Venture Offer Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 13.9% - 20.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: $0 for 1st yr, $59 after
  • Rewards: Miles - Any Airline
    • Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles
    • Base Earn: 2 miles / $1
    • Max Earn: 2 miles / $1
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Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card

Credit Cards from Chase Preferred Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 15.24% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None 1st yr, $95 after
  • Rewards: Points - Generic
    • Initial Bonus: 40,000 points
    • Base Earn: 1 point / $1
    • Max Earn: 2 points / $1
  • Learn More
 
Chase Freedom® Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back + 0% Intro APR

VISA Card Application for Chase Freedom Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% for 15 months
  • Transfer Intro Rate: 0% for 15 months
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 12.99% - 22.99% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: $100
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 5%
  • Learn More
Best Credit Cards for Good Credit Good Credit
Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card

Low Interest Credit Card Offer from Capital One Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% until September 2013
  • Transfer Intro Rate: 0% until September 2013
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 10.9% - 18.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: None
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

Cash Back Credit Card Application from CapitalOne Cash Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% until June 2013
  • Transfer Intro Rate: 0% until June 2013
  • Transfer Fee: 3%
  • Regular Rate: 12.9% - 20.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: $100
    • Base Earn: 1.5%
    • Max Earn: 1.5%
  • Learn More
Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit Fair Credit
Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers

Starter Credit Cards for People with No Credit Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 24.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
 
Orchard Bank® Visa® Cards

Visa Credit Card for Average Credit from OrchardBank Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: 5%
  • Regular Rate: 14.99 - 24.99% (V)
  • Annual Fee: $39 - $59
  • Rewards: None
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® Cash Rewards

Rewards Credit Card for Fair Credit Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% until March 2013
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 17.9% - 22.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: $39
  • Rewards: Cash Back - Extra on Gas
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1.5%
    • Max Earn: 1.5%
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Best Credit Cards for Limited History Limited History
College Students
Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students

Student Credit Card Offer from Citibank Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% for 7 months
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: 4%
  • Regular Rate: 13.99% - 21.99% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back - Extra on Gas
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 5%
  • Learn More
 
JourneySM Student Rewards from Capital One®

Student Credit Card Application from Journey Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 19.8% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1.25%
    • Max Earn: 1.25%
  • Learn More
Non-College Students
Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers

Starter Credit Cards for People with No Credit Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 24.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® Cash Rewards

Rewards Credit Card for Fair Credit Apply Now

  • Purchase Intro Rate: 0% until March 2013
  • Transfer Intro Rate: N/A
  • Transfer Fee: None
  • Regular Rate: 17.9% - 22.9% (V)
  • Annual Fee: $39
  • Rewards: Cash Back - Extra on Gas
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1.5%
    • Max Earn: 1.5%
  • Learn More
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit Bad Credit
Secured Card
Orchard Bank® Secured MasterCard

secured credit card orchard Apply Now

  • Min Deposit: $200
  • Annual Fee: None 1st yr, $35 after
  • Monthly Fee: None
  • One-time Setup Fees: None
  • Regular Rate: 7.99% (V)
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Learn more about the Best Credit Cards

What is the best credit card to have?
While some credit cards do provide great overall options, it's easiest to determine the best credit card for you as an individual if you know exactly what you will be using the card for. Card Hub's Island Approach recommends having individual credit cards for different purposes, such as earning rewards on everyday purchases, making balance transfers, etc. By concentrating on getting the best credit cards for individual transaction-types, you'll likely be able to get a better combination of rates and rewards than that found on any individual credit card.

How often do the best credit cards change?
Our editors add appropriate offers to this page as soon as they are introduced. Credit card companies change the terms and rewards associated with their products regularly, and as such, the best credit card offers may change regularly as well. Therefore, the Best Credit Cards 2010 will almost certainly differ from the Best Credit Cards 2011. The cards listed on this page also fluctuate based on the rules governing the credit card industry. For example, the best credit cards for college students and young adults changed drastically after the passage of the Credit CARD Act since anyone under the age of 21 now needs a co-signer or proof of income to open a credit card.

What are the best credit card companies?
First of all, it's important to make the distinction between credit card companies and credit card networks. Credit card companies issue credit cards, set rates, charge fees and hold your accounts. A card's network simply dictates where you can use it. The best credit card company for you is simply the one with the best offers. Determining the best credit card deals is far easier now because the Credit CARD Act improved the transparency of the credit card industry and increased the reliability of credit card terms. Now, if a credit card offer looks to be the best, you can be sure it is.

The most widely accepted credit card networks are VISA and MasterCard. Still, this does not mean you should go out looking for the best Visa credit card or the best MasterCard offering. All four major networks (Discover and American Express included) have wide coverage in the U.S., so don't limit your search unless you have a very good reason to get a card on a particular network.

About the Editor's Picks — Best Credit Cards
Our editors' recommendations for the Best Credit Cards are a reflection of their own subjective opinions, and they should not be relied upon as the sole basis for choosing your credit card. Certain offers originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on a card’s details page, when applicable. We work hard to present you with the most accurate credit card information, however, the credit card terms and conditions do not originate from us and thus we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. Before applying for a credit card we recommend that you verify the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card company's web site. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.