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Best credit cards of June 2025

Updated May 27, 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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Best cash back card for food

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Cardholder rating

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4.4
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Bankrate score

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5.0
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

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Earn $200 Cash Back

Rewards rate

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1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It’s one of the only cards to earn excellent, unlimited rewards rates at both grocery stores and restaurants.

Best standalone rewards card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Cardholder rating

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4.3
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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.6
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Purchase intro APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Intro offer

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Earn $200 cash back

Rewards rate

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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.

Best rewards card for groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Cardholder rating

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4.4
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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

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Earn $250

Rewards Rate

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1% - 6%

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: This card’s chart-topping U.S. supermarket cash back rate (and rates in other key categories) can make it a de facto choice for big grocery spenders.

Best for affordable travel perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Cardholder rating

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4.5
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Bankrate score

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5.0
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:740 - 850
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

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Earn 75,000 miles

Rewards rate

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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.

Best travel card for rewards value

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Cardholder rating

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4.2
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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

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60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

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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.

Best flat-rate cash back card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Bankrate score

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4.2
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

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$200 cash back

Rewards Rate

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2% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It earns one of the best cash rewards rates on all eligible purchases, and sets itself apart from rivals with its stellar balance transfer offer and card pairing opportunities.

Best travel card for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.6
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

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Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points

Rewards Rate

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1X - 10X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: This card packs perhaps the widest range of relatively high-rate, unlimited bonus categories for popular everyday and travel expenses.

Best luxury travel card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Cardholder rating

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.4
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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.8
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

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Earn 80,000 points

Rewards rate

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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 top-tier travel perks and credits totaling nearly $2,000 in value.

Best intro APR card for large purchases

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.3
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

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

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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.

Best for food and travel

American Express® Gold Card

Cardholder rating

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.4
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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

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Earn 60,000 points

Rewards rate

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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.

Best for high cash back rates

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
InfoHover to learn more

Intro offer

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$200

Rewards Rate

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1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: On top of the highest cash back rates across with a no-annual-fee card, this card’s unique flexibility makes it remarkably easy to adapt to ten major categories.

Best balance transfer card

U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.2
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Bankrate review
N/A
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Intro offer

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N/A

Rewards Rate

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4%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

17.74% - 28.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: This newcomer recently broke the mold by offering one of the longest intro APRs available for purchases and balance transfers.

Best balance transfer card for minimizing fees

Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

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Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.5
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Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 - 850
InfoHover to learn more

Intro offer

InfoHover to learn more

N/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: A low balance transfer fee and no late payment fees or penalty APR make this card a prime pick for minimizing the cost of a balance transfer.

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Compare

Compare Bankrate's best credit cards of 2025

Card name Our pick for Card highlights Ongoing APR
Bankrate Score
Cash back card on food

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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One'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

4.6 / 5

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Chase's secure site
Grocery rewards card
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
 
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
 
$95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee the first year)
Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable

4.4 / 5

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Affordable travel perks

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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site
Travel rewards 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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Chase's secure site

Flat-rate cash back

2% cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay
 
0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (transfers must be within the first four months)
 
No annual fee
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

4.2 / 5

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site
Travel card for everyday spending
10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked via Citi Travel℠
 
3X points on air travel, other hotel purchases and purchases at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas and EV charging stations
 
$100 annual hotel benefit discount on a single hotel stay of $500 or more booked via Citi Travel℠ (excludes taxes and fees)
 
$95 annual fee
Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

4.6 / 5

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site
Luxury travel card

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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Large purchases
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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Travel card for food

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

(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
High cash back rates
5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1%)
 
Category automatically selected from a pool of ten categories, including top options like restaurants, gas, grocery stores and select travel.
 
4% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked via Citi Travel℠ (through June 30, 2026)
 
No annual fee
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Balance transfer card
0% intro APR for 24 billing cycles on balance transfers and purchases (transfers must be within 60 days; 5% balance transfer fee, $5 minimum)
 
4% cash back on prepaid flights, hotel and rental cars through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center
 
$20 annual statement credit after 11 consecutive calendar months of purchases
 
No annual fee
Regular APR: 17.74% - 28.74% Variable
Minimizing fees
0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (within the first four months) and 12 months on purchases
 
No late payment fees or penalty APR
 
Low intro balance transfer fee: 3% within the first four months, then 5% ($5 minimum)
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

What are the different types of credit cards?

Credit card issuers offer different types of cards to meet various consumer needs, so no one card will be the “best” for everyone. A credit card’s “type” is mostly determined by the spending categories it rewards, the perks it offers, and how its interest rate and intro APR offer lengths compare stack up.

Frequent travelers will likely value luxury perks like lounge access more than occasional travelers, who might not see such features as worth a high annual fee. Meanwhile, someone trying to pay off debt will be more focused on an intro APR offer

Here are the major credit card types and the best features to look out for:

Caret Down Icon

Best for household shoppers who want a simple card, don’t travel often and mostly spend on groceries, gas, dining and other everyday categories.

  • Rewards categories: Cash back cards usually earn rewards on everyday purchases. Groceries, dining, gas and online shopping are likely the most lucrative categories for the typical spender — especially if these categories are year-round. However, flat-rate rewards cards are also great fallback cards for many people.

  • Rewards rates: The best flat-rate cash rewards cards typically offer a maximum of 2 percent back on purchases, while cards with rotating categories or year-round bonus categories can offer anywhere from 2 percent to 6 percent back on certain purchases (sometimes with restrictions on how much you can earn, like spending caps). Good bonus category cards focus your spending in their 3 percent categories, although category spending caps may be hard to avoid.

  • Perks: Cash back cards typically don’t offer many beyond the rewards program, but standout cards may offer travel protections and perks with partner services like rideshare or delivery services. A rare few cash back cards may even come with annual credits.

  • Welcome offers: Since many cash back cards have no annual fee, they typically provide a $200 value for spending $500 to $1,000 in the first three months.

Learn more about our picks for cash back cards here:

How to compare cards and choose the best one

Choosing the best credit card all comes down to which card is going to provide you with the most value based on your financial situation, spending habits and more. Think about these questions when a credit card offer catches your eye:

  • Credit None Icon

    What’s your credit score?

    The better your credit score, the better your chance of qualifying for a credit card with excellent perks and terms. Check your credit score before applying for a new card, and, if your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, work on improving your credit.

  • Dollar Search Icon

    Determine which type of card fits your needs

    Start your research by deciding what type of card best suits your spending habits, financial needs and preferred maintenance level. If your spending is concentrated in certain categories, look for a card with a high rewards rate on those purchases (or keep it simple with a flat-rate rewards card). Consider other features that you prioritize too, like perks with your favorite airlines or hotels, or a sufficient 0 percent intro APR offer if you have credit card debt.

  • Credit Card Search Icon

    Narrow your list

    Whittle down to the right card by calculating which would be the most rewarding based on your monthly spending, which perks you’ll actually use enough and whether an annual fee eats into that yearly value too much. Don’t forget to consider whether an issuer’s rewards program suits your redemption options and card combinations. Finally, a sign-up bonus can be a deciding factor if you’re on the fence between two cards.

  • Calendar Money Icon

    Apply

    If your credit score is a concern, see if you can prequalify on the issuer’s site or through a third-party service like CardMatch. It’s also worth scoping out more sites or prequalification tools to see if you can score a more valuable welcome offer, or checking with friends and family members for a referral bonus link instead. If you’re in no rush, you may want to wait for an elevated limited-time offer or a prequalified bonus offer in the mail.

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Bankrate staff picks

To help you build the best shortlist possible, I asked Bankrate credit card experts what they think are currently the best cash back, travel, 0 percent intro APR and credit-building cards currently on the market.

Many of these recommendations line up with our data and curated list, but hidden gems are sometimes found in the cream of the crop. For example, senior editorial director John Puterbaugh’s go-to cash back recommendation flies under the radar for some people:

It’s not the flashiest card on the market, but my favorite cash back card is my Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card*. It earns 2 percent cash back on every purchase, and the rewards are automatically transferred into my Fidelity IRA every month or so. Putting cash back toward my investments and future financial independence feels like a total hack!

— John Puterbaugh, Bankrate senior editorial director

 

Caret Down Icon

“I recommend starting with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card because it sets you up to do a product change to the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which I think is the best option if you only want one credit card. Depending on your credit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card could offer a similar step toward the Savor card.”

Brendan Dyer, Bankrate writer

Frequently asked questions

How we choose the best credit cards

Document Icon
250+
cards rated
Congrats Icon
50+
rewards programs valued
Search Icon
5000
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews Icon
40+
perks evaluated

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features. 

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way. 

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

Here’s a quick look at how our card ratings are distributed as of May 2024, as well as some of the key factors that we considered in selecting this month’s Best Cards.

Overall rating

Pie chart with 5 slices.
End of interactive chart.
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • 5 stars 2%
  • 4 - 4.9 stars 35%
  • 3 - 3.9 stars 39%
  • 2 - 2.9 stars 22%
  • 1 - 1.9 stars 2%
  • Great rewards value: For cards that put earning rewards front and center, a key criteria for their inclusion in our list of the best credit cards is whether they offer impressive rewards value. This includes a card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value. These factors are all based on its average rewards rate and how closely those categories match the average person’s spending habits according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

  • Reasonable fees and APR: We rate all cards based on how their ongoing average APR compares to the average APR you’ll find on other cards in their primary category. For rewards-earning cards, this factor has only a minor influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance. That said, rewards-earning cards may get a solid boost in score if they also offer an intro APR on balance transfers or new purchases. More important to these cards’ scores and their inclusion in our list is how their annual fees influence their overall value.

  • Flexibility and perks: Along with rewards value and cost, we consider other factors that could give cards great long-term value, like flexible rewards redemption, unique and valuable perks or the ability to switch to another card with the same issuer after you’ve paid off debt or improved your credit score. We rate rewards-earning cards based on the restrictions they impose on earning and redeeming rewards and consider this when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. We also evaluate each card’s perks based on their value, usefulness and uniqueness.

The information about the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, American Express Green Card®, Citi Premier® Card, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students, Chase Freedom Flex®, BankAmericard® credit card, Citi Simplicity® Card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card and Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.