J.D. Power recently issued its annual study of the best credit cards. Not surprisingly, cash back cards are still the most popular.
American Express and Capital One topped the charts for customer satisfaction. Yet J.D. Power also found that customer satisfaction varied based on the cardholder’s age.
While these surveys are helpful, nothing beats a detailed analysis of the best credit card offers available today. So we’ve conducted our own research, the results of which are below. We’ve included a brief explanation as to why each credit card made the list.
In This Article:
- Best 3 Cash Back Credit Cards
- Best 3 Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Balance Transfers Cards (0% APR cards)
- Comparing and Using the Best Credit Cards
Best 3 Cash Back Credit Cards
This is just a brief, find more detailed information on the best cash back credit cards.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is best known for its 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). What many don’t know is that it also pays 3% on U.S. gas station purchases. Add to that a $350 cash welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 on the card in the first six months, and this card tops our list. Terms Apply.
Here are the cash back details:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% cash back on select US streaming services (like Netflix, Hulu and others)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, tolls, parking, trains, buses and more)
- 1% cash back on other purchases
It’s a pretty amazing set of cash back opportunities and the card I use personally for almost all of my spending.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express REVIEW
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer <<
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a twist on their regular Freedom offer from Chase. In place of offering 5% cash back categories and 1% cash back on everyday purchases, this card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on everything. No tiers, no limits to the amount you can earn and it never expires.
- Cash Back: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on purchases (up to $20,000 in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Annual Fee: None.
- Introductory APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then an variable APR of 17.24% – 25.99% Variable applies).
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer<<
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
As a final cash back card to make the list, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card pays 1.5% on all purchases. There are no rotating categories or sign-ups required. Capital One also pays a $150 cash bonus if you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months. There is no annual fee.
- Cash Back: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Intro bonus: Get a $150 bonus when you spend $500 on the card in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: None.
- Introductory APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
This is yet another credit card I have in my wallet
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card REVIEW
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer<<
Best 3 Travel Rewards Credit Cards
This is just a brief, find more detailed information on the best cash travel rewards credit cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®️ Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred®️ Card changed the way issuers value travel points. New Cardholders will earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months and those points are worth 25% more when you use them to book travel through Chase.
- Travel Rewards: Double miles are earned on all travel and dining purchases and single miles are earned on everything else.
- Sign up Bonus: New cardmembers will earn a 100,000 point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
I find that this card comes in handy most often for me when I’m looking to book flights through United (they seem to be the only airline that can get me places without a layover, from Hartford).
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card REVIEW
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer<<
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is effectively a 2% card. You’ll earn 2 miles on every purchase. When you use those miles to pay for travel, they are worth 1 cent each. Thus, $50,000 in purchases will earn 100,000 miles. These miles are worth $1,000 when used to pay for travel expenses. On top of that, you can earn a 50,000-mile bonus when you spend $3,000 on the card in the first three months.
- Travel Rewards: 2 miles for every $1 in purchases
- Intro Bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months of approval, equal to $500 in travel
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card REVIEW
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer<<
Balance Transfers Cards (0% APR cards)
This is just a brief, find more detailed information on the best balance transfers cards credit cards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
After mentioned as one of the best cash back cards, Chase Freedom Unlimited is a nominee for another award – best balance transfer card. You’ll have the opportunity to receive a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months with a low 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) in the first 60 days.
- 0% on Balance Transfers: 15 months
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% ($5 minimum) for the first 60 days. 5% or $5 after that, whichever is greater
- 0% on Purchases: 15 months
- Annual Fee: None.
It’s always important to read the issuer’s terms, but the 0% introductory APR that applies to purchases and balance transfers would be a good option for buying a larger item. If you’ve saved up to purchase some furniture, for example, you can use an introductory purchase APR of 0% to use the credit card issuer’s money to improve your cash flow — however, this leverage technique is risky. If you end up using the credit card for an emergency, you can make it more difficult to repay your balance before the introductory period is complete. On the other hand, it could leave you with more cash in your bank account.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer<<
Comparing and Using the Best Credit Cards
Even the best credit cards won’t fulfill their potential if used incorrectly. With that in mind, consider the following tips when comparing and using a credit card:
Pay off the balance in full each month: If you use credit cards as a tool for convenience, pay your bills in full every month, and are otherwise financially self-aware, consider some of these credit cards. If you use credit cards to pay for things you can’t afford, paying interest every month, then start thinking about paying off debt.
Consider your spending habits: Many of the above cards pay increased rewards for certain categories of spending. Therefore, consider how you’ll use the card before selecting the best option for your spending patterns.
Consider how you’ll redeem your rewards: Earning credit card rewards is just half the battle. Once earned, you should consider how you will use them. Many cards offer increased rewards when you use points or miles for travel. If you don’t travel frequently, a cash back card is probably best.
Enjoy the signup bonus: Signup bonuses are a great way to increase miles or points quickly. In some cases, they put cold hard cash in your pocket. But make sure you will meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus. And keep in mind that bonuses are just one feature to consider.
The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying. This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company.
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