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.
More Options? Compare All Credit Cards
Up-to-date as of: May 21, 2012
- Best Overall
- Best Credit Card Deals
- Best Credit Card Rates
- Best Balance Transfer
- Best Cash Back
- Best Rewards
- Best for Bad Credit
- Best for Business
Excellent Credit
- 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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- 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%
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- 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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- 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
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- 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%
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Good Credit
- 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
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- 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%
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Fair Credit
- 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%
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- 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
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- 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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Limited History
- 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%
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- 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%
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- 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%
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- 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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Bad Credit
- 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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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.
