How we rate our cards Advertiser Disclosure

Credit Cards

Compare top offers by category. Read our expert reviews and recommendations. Feel confident when you apply.

Best Cards

CardMatch™

Balance Transfer

0% APR

Cash Back

Explore more

Rewards Business Travel Student No annual fee

Bankrate's promoted cards from our partners for January 2025

Here are some of our most popular credit card offers this month. Whether you are interested in a lower interest rate, travel rewards, cash back or other perks, we can help you find the right credit card from our partners. The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site. Terms Apply.

BEST FOR EVERYDAY CASH REWARDS

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Apply now

on Wells Fargo's secure site

Recommended Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670 – 850)

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Bankrate Score

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

4.3

Rewards Rate:

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Welcome Offer:

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Regular APR:

19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR

Purchase Intro APR:

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfer Intro APR:

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Annual Fee:

$0
This card not only carries one of the best flat rewards rates out there, but also a generous sign-up bonus and a decent intro APR offer, features often missing on competing cards. This makes it easily one of the best flat-rate cash rewards cards on the market.

Read our full Active Cash card review.
- 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 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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.

See Rates & Fees

BEST STARTER TRAVEL CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply now

on Chase's secure site

Recommended Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670 – 850)

Bankrate Score

4.8

Rewards Rate:

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.

Welcome Offer:

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Regular APR:

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Purchase Intro APR:

N/A

Balance Transfer Intro APR:

N/A

Annual Fee:

$95
This card’s points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ and you can transfer rewards to a long list of popular airline and hotel transfer partners, making it a great pick if you’re looking for an ultra-flexible, low-cost travel card.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred review.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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, 2027.
- Member FDIC

Best for large welcome offer

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's secure site

Recommended Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670 – 850)

Bankrate Score

4.2

Rewards Rate:

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

Welcome Offer:

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Regular APR:

17.74% - 23.74% Variable

Purchase Intro APR:

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months

Balance Transfer Intro APR:

N/A

Annual Fee:

$0
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC

Tools & Reviews

5.0

Bankrate Score

Read review

4.7

Bankrate Score

Read review

All credit card reviews

Credit cards compare tool

Credit card payoff calculator

Balance transfer calculator

Credit utilization calculator

We asked the Bankrate Experts: What is your favorite piece of credit card advice?

Seychelle Thomas

Writer, Credit Cards

Katie Kelton

Senior Writer, Credit Cards

Ana Staples

Lead Writer, Credit Cards

Ted Rossman

Senior Industry Analyst, Credit Cards

"I know it’s a hassle, but reading the fine print is underrated. Know what fees, APRs and benefits you’re signing up for. You might uncover extra value from features that aren’t advertised or discover some nasty fees to avoid. When you know what the terms are, it’s easier to get the most from your cards and avoid pitfalls."

"Credit card rewards, welcome bonuses and added perks — like travel insurance or savings on certain brands — are essentially free money. By swiping a card for everyday purchases, you can earn rewards toward your next trip or cash in your wallet. Pay your balance on time and in full to avoid interest fees and credit dings."

"I think the best habit is to treat your credit card like a debit card. Don’t spend more money than you can easily pull from your checking account. If you can’t pay off a purchase within a couple of weeks, you can’t afford it. This practice can help you avoid credit card debt — and expensive interest charges."

"There’s a saying that credit cards are like power tools. As in, really useful or dangerous. It’s all about how you use them. Half of cardholders pay in full every month and benefit from rewards and buyer protections. The other half can get trapped in an expensive debt cycle. Pay in full and get credit cards working for you."

Featured by names you know and trust

The latest

Image showing the author of this article, Benét J. Wilson

Everyone makes mistakes, including credit card writers. It’s how you react that makes the difference.

Mixed race hairstylist using digital tablet in salon

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is an easy-to-use cash back card for business owners.

Find out how to use a 0 percent APR credit card to finance home projects.

A young woman holds her credit card while working on a laptop in her apartment

Learn how the quarterly bonus structure works and how it compares to other options.

Happy parents and their kids enjoying in the swimming pool.

Here’s why I love cruises — and how I save on trip costs with credit card rewards.

man paying with a credit card in a clothing store

Wells Fargo Active Cash benefits include a welcome offer and flat-rate cash rewards.

Female student using mobile phone while man walking up on steps in university

Learn how the SavorOne Student and Discover it Student Cash Back measure up for student spending.

Discover methods to recover from any credit score damage caused by a charge-off.

a group of friends studying at a university

Learn how to choose a credit card for college students and what to look for.

Credit card interest rates have a high mark up over the prime rate. Why are card APRs so high?

woman looking at credit card and typing on computer

Need a balance transfer? Is Discover it Cash Back or Citi Diamond Preferred best?

young woman looking at her credit card and working on her laptop

The Quicksilver vs. the Discover it Balance Transfer comes down to which card has the best rewards structure and intro APR offer.

Cards that offer 0 percent intro APR can be excellent tools.

Make the most out of your Citi Rewards+ using this benefits guide.

Find out what credit score you need for a 0 percent intro APR credit card.

a person making a contactless payment at an outdoor bar

This guide outlines the major advantages this credit card has to offer.

a young man at home holding a credit card and using a computer

Here’s what you need to do if your credit card APR increases.

close up of hands making contactless payment using phone

Discover offers a broad range of credit cards that let you rack up rewards for cash back, travel and more.

Need a balance transfer? Is Discover it Cash Back or Citi Diamond Preferred best?

The Quicksilver vs. the Discover it Balance Transfer comes down to which card has the best rewards structure and intro APR offer.

father and son on computer in living room

The Citi Diamond Preferred has an intro balance transfer offer and no annual fee.

Woman holding a cell phone in one hand and a credit card in another.

You can transfer a balance to a Capital One card in a few easy steps.

close up of hand holding credit card and typing on a digital tablet

It can be difficult to qualify for a balance transfer card with bad credit.

Senior couple sitting at a dining table, using a laptop computer, paperwork and bills on the table

You can transfer a variety of debt to cards, but not all cards accept all transfers.

Woman looking out over steps of historic building in Budapest

If you don’t travel enough to get a travel card, try a cash back card instead.

man paying with credit card at the supermarket checkout

Credit card welcome bonuses are a great way to give your point balance a substantial boost.

A middle-aged couple takes selfie in front of monument

The Chase Freedom Flex credit card offers unique perks for any traveler.

Discover offers a broad range of credit cards that let you rack up rewards for cash back, travel and more.

Learn the current rotating cash back categories for Chase, Discover and Citi.

A man using his phone to pay for drinks at the table in a British pub.

Make the most of your rotating Discover cash back rewards each quarter with this guide

Young man at outdoor cafe smiles as he holds his tablet and credit card

Make the most of your cash back bonus categories this quarter.

Learn how the SavorOne Student and Discover it Student Cash Back measure up for student spending.

person looking at coinbase cryptocurrency app

Only you can decide if a crypto credit card is a good idea or not.

Learn about Bank of America’s invite-only, tiered incentive program.

Credit card welcome bonuses are a great way to give your point balance a substantial boost.

Discover offers a broad range of credit cards that let you rack up rewards for cash back, travel and more.

Father carrying young daughter on shoulders on beach at sunset

Learn all about the Chase Ultimate Rewards and which credit cards earn points.

Learn how to strategically get the most out of rewards credit cards

Here’s why I love cruises — and how I save on trip costs with credit card rewards.

This student card is best for students who want to build credit and earn rewards without ever carrying a balance.

Credit Cards

Card Type

Card Issuer

Credit Type

Bankrate's promoted cards from our partners for January 2025

BEST FOR EVERYDAY CASH REWARDS

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Features

Bankrate's View

Card Details

BEST STARTER TRAVEL CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Features

Bankrate's View

Card Details

Best for large welcome offer

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Features

Bankrate's View

Card Details

Tools & Reviews

We asked the Bankrate Experts: What is your favorite piece of credit card advice?

The latest