Best credit cards of May 2025
Advertiser Disclosure: Bankrate’s editorial team chooses and recommends the credit cards on this page. While we may receive compensation when users apply for cards through this page, our recommendations and card ratings are produced independently without influence by advertising partnerships with issuers.
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Limited time offer
Earn 100,000 intro bonus points
Best for point value
Intro offer
Earn 100,000 intro bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Why you'll like this: It boasts terrific rewards value with its annual bonus points, practical bonus categories, high-value points and redemption flexibility.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Limited time offer
Earn 75,000 miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit
Best for bonus offer
Intro offer
Earn 75,000 miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its valuable sign-up bonus and travel credit add terrific short-term value to an already lucrative travel card.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Intro offer
$200 cash back
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Earn a solid cash back rate on all purchases without tracking spending categories.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Last chance!
Earn $250 cash back
Best standalone rewards card
Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Intro offer
Earn $250 cash back
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
Why you'll like this: Few cards offer a flat rewards rate this high in addition to bonus rewards in popular categories like dining and travel.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for dining and entertainment
Intro offer
Earn $200 Cash Back
Rewards rate
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It earns rewards in lucrative everyday spending categories and a hard-to-find entertainment category.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening
Regular APR
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
N/A
Why you'll like this: It offers a long APR period on both new purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
What you should know
Card Details
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the easiest flat-rate rewards cards to use thanks to its well-rounded features and unlimited 2 percent cash rewards with no strings attached.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for food and travel
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 60,000 points
Rewards rate
1X - 4X
Annual fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: Its dining perks and top-tier rewards rate at both supermarkets and restaurants make it a uniquely valuable travel card for foodies.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for rewards category variety
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: Offers a lucrative reward rate in a generous variety of categories throughout the year.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for travel card beginners
Purchase intro APR
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Intro offer
Earn 20,000 miles
Rewards rate
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Why you'll like this: All purchases earn miles at a boosted rate, and you can transfer miles to partner airlines and hotels for a chance to maximize redemption value.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for no-frills benefits
Intro offer
Earn 75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 10 Miles
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It offers mostly valuable, practical perks like annual travel credits and airport lounge access, making it a better deal than many other luxury cards.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for luxury perks
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Rewards rate
5X
Annual fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: It boasts the most comprehensive airport lounge access you can get, plus dozens of other perks and credits totaling nearly $2,000 in value.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for simple business spending
Intro offer
Earn $750 bonus cash back
Rewards Rate
1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 23.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: It’s a straightforward, easy-to-use business card with a generous sign-up bonus and flat rewards rate.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best business card for bonus offer
Intro offer
$2,000 cash back
Rewards Rate
2% - 5%
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
Why you'll like this: You can earn potentially unmatched sign-up bonus value and annual credits that make the card worthwhile for a few years.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: You can kick-start your credit journey with a high-value welcome offer, a solid rewards program and a forgiving fee policy.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for upgrading
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.74% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It offers a clear path to a higher credit limit and several lucrative rewards cards you could upgrade to down the line.
What you should know
Card Details
Best for low-cost credit building
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
None
Regular APR
N/A
Why you'll like this: You can avoid traditional secured card costs like a security deposit, interest charges and late payment fees.
What you should know
Card Details
Best credit limit policy
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.74% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its minimum security deposit is exceptionally low and you have a chance to increase your credit limit after six months of responsible card use.
What you should know
Card Details
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Compare Bankrate's best credit cards of 2025
Card name | Our pick for | Card highlights | Ongoing APR |
Bankrate Score
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Point value |
3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), dining (including eligible delivery services) and select streaming services 5X points on Chase Travel℠ and Lyft Rides (Lyft offer through September 30, 2027) 2X points on other travel 25% point value boost toward Chase Travel℠ redemption Yearly bonus points and credits: $50 annual hotel stay credit and 10% back on your previous year's total combined spending points $95 annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
|
4.9 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
Bonus offer |
5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Travel 2X miles on all other purchases Flexible miles can be redeemed for statement credits toward eligible travel purchases within the last 90 days $95 annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
4.9 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Flat-rate cash back |
2% cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay |
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
|
4.2 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
|
|
Standalone rewards card |
5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases 1.5% cash back on all other purchases No annual fee |
Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable
|
4.8 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
Dining and entertainment |
8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) No annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
5.0 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Long intro APR |
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (within the first 120 days) and purchases
(The regular APR will apply thereafter; 5% balance transfer fee, $5 minimum)
No annual fee |
Regular APR: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
|
4.3 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
|
|
Simplicity |
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases No annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
|
4.3 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
|
|
Food and travel |
4X points on restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x points) and U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points) 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel Over $400 in various credits in monthly Uber Cash and credits toward eligible dining purchases (Uber Cash expires at the end of the month. Enrollment required for all credits.) $325 annual fee |
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
|
4.9 / 5 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.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
Rewards category variety |
5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)
Automatic Cashback Match™ for all rewards earned at the end of your first year
No annual fee
|
Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
|
4.4 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Discover's secure site
|
|
Travel card beginners |
5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25X miles on all purchases No annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
4.1 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
No-frills benefits |
10X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel 2X miles on all other purchases Annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 account anniversary bonus miles can help offset part of the annual fee $395 annual fee |
Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
5.0 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Luxury perks |
5X points on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent on flights per calendar year) 2X points on prepaid car rentals, vacation packages and cruise reservations through American Express Travel Offers one of the most valuable lists of travel perks available, including around $1,700 of recurring monthly and annual credits plus comprehensive airport lounge access $695 annual fee |
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
|
4.8 / 5 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.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
Business card simplicity |
Unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all business purchases 5 percent cash back on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027
|
Regular APR: 17.49% - 23.49% Variable
|
4.2 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
Business card bonus offer |
Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase $150 annual fee (refunded every year you spend $150,000 with the card) |
Regular APR: N/A
|
4.7 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Students |
5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%) Automatic Cashback Match™ for all rewards earned at the end of your first year Low rates and fees, including no foreign transaction fees, penalty APR or late fee on the first late payment (up to $41 after that) No annual fee |
Regular APR: 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
|
5.0 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Discover's secure site
|
|
Upgrading |
Could be available with fair credit without a security deposit Considered for a credit limit increase after an account review starting after six months No annual fee |
Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)
|
4.2 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Low-cost credit building |
No credit check required
Low rates and fees, including no foreign cash advance fees or late payment fees
Potential $10,000 secured credit limit, and no minimum credit limit.
No annual fee
|
Regular APR: N/A
|
4.2 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Chime's secure site
|
|
Credit limit policy |
A security deposit as low as $49 ($49, $99 or $200, based on creditworthiness) that provides at least a $200 credit limit Considered for a credit limit increase after an account review starting after six months No annual fee |
Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)
|
4.1 / 5 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.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|