Knowledge base

The best US credit cards

275 cards from 88 banks and 82 credit unions: which give real limits and which eat you up with fees and a $300 ceiling.

15 minutesReference

What makes a card good or junk

A card is valuable for three things: a real revolving limit (not your own money), a high ceiling, reasonable fees and APR. If a card fails these, it's useless, even if it's "easy to get approved".

Good

Real credit, high limits ($10k+), a normal APR. A good score is needed.

Average

A real card with a modest ceiling or a legitimate "stepping stone", including secured cards from major banks that convert to regular ones.

Bad

Low limit, high fees or a "builder gimmick" without a real limit. Useless for growth.

What to avoid

Chime / Current / Varo are not credit cards but builder tools (the limit = your own money). Mission Lane, Credit One, Merrick: tiny limits ($300–$1,500) and high fees. First Premier, Total, Surge, Indigo, Milestone, Fortiva: APR up to 36% and fees "for air". In the tables below they are all marked as bad.

Section 1 · Banks: 88 issuers

American Express5 cards

Amex Platinum CardPremium travel; lounges, service credits. An excellent score is needed.	Good	$10,000 – $100,000+
Amex Gold CardA strong card for restaurants and groceries.	Good	$2,000 – $50,000+
Blue Cash Preferred6% cashback at supermarkets (up to a cap).	Good	$1,000 – $50,000+
Blue Cash EverydayNo annual fee; cashback on everyday spending.	Average	$1,000 – $35,000+
Amex EveryDayA starter points card with no AF.	Average	$1,000 – $30,000+

Sapphire ReservePremium travel; a high approval bar.	Good	$10,000 – $100,000+
Sapphire PreferredThe best travel card for the mid-tier segment.	Good	$5,000 – $50,000+
Freedom Unlimited1.5%+ cashback, no AF.	Good	$500 – $40,000+
Freedom Flex5% rotating categories.	Good	$500 – $40,000+
Amazon Prime VisaAmazon co-brand; prequal in your account.	Average	$500 – $25,000+
Slate EdgeFor lowering APR; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $15,000

Venture XPremium travel, lounges; min $10k.	Good	$10,000 – $100,000+
Venture Rewards2x miles on everything.	Good	$3,000 – $50,000+
Savor Cash Rewards3% restaurants/entertainment.	Good	$1,000 – $40,000+
Quicksilver1.5% flat cashback.	Average	$1,000 – $30,000+
QuicksilverOneFor fair credit; AF $39.	Average	$300 – $5,000
Platinum SecuredSecured, a path to unsecured.	Average	$200 – $5,000 (by deposit)

Strata PremierTravel, 3x in popular categories.	Good	$5,000 – $50,000+
Double Cash2% on everything (1% purchase + 1% payment).	Good	$500 – $50,000+
Custom Cash5% in the month's top category.	Good	$500 – $40,000+
Diamond PreferredLong 0% intro; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $20,000
Costco Anywhere VisaCostco co-brand; a membership card is needed.	Good	$1,000 – $50,000+

Customized Cash Rewards3% in a chosen category.	Good	$500 – $50,000+
Travel Rewards1.5x on everything, no FTF.	Good	$1,000 – $50,000+
Premium RewardsTravel perks, credits.	Good	$5,000 – $75,000+
Unlimited Cash Rewards SecuredSecured with cashback.	Average	$200 – $5,000 (by deposit)

Active Cash2% on everything, no AF.	Good	$1,000 – $50,000+
Autograph3x on travel/restaurants.	Good	$1,000 – $40,000+
ReﬂectLong 0% intro; no rewards.	Average	$1,000 – $25,000

Smartly Visa SignatureUp to 4% with balances at the bank.	Good	$500 – $25,000+
Cash+ Visa Signature5% in two chosen categories.	Good	$300 – $25,000+
Altitude Go4x restaurants.	Good	$300 – $25,000+
Altitude ConnectTravel; lounge passes.	Good	$500 – $25,000+

Discover it Cash Back5% rotating; match in year 1.	Good	$500 – $25,000+
Discover it Miles1.5x miles; match.	Good	$500 – $25,000+
Discover it Student Cash BackFor students / a thin file.	Average	$500 – $10,000
Discover it SecuredSecured, a path to unsecured.	Average	$200 – $2,500 (by deposit)

Barclays ViewA cashback card.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
AAdvantage Aviator RedAmerican Airlines co-brand.	Good	$1,000 – $35,000+
JetBlue CardJetBlue co-brand.	Average	$500 – $25,000

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard2% on everything; a general Synchrony product.	Average	$500 – $15,000+
Amazon Store Card / Sam’s ClubStore cards; prequal through the retailer.	Average	$200 – $10,000+

Bread Cashback American Express2% on everything, no AF.	Average	$500 – $15,000
Store cards (Lowe's, AE and 150+brands) Prequal per brand (often last-4 SSN).	Average	$250 – $10,000+

PNC Cash Unlimited Visa Signature2% on everything, no AF.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000+
PNC Cash Rewards VisaCashback in categories.	Average	$500 – $20,000
PNC Core Visa0% intro; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $15,000

Truist Enjoy Cash1.5% cashback, bonuses with a relationship.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Truist Enjoy Travel3x travel.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Truist Future (Secured)Secured.	Average	$300 – $3,000 (by deposit)

Citizens Cash Back Plus WorldMastercard 1.8% cashback.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Citizens Clear Value MastercardLow APR; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $15,000

Regions Cash Rewards VisaCashback; issued through Elan.	Average	$500 – $20,000
Regions Prestige Visa SignatureTravel rewards.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Regions Explore Visa (Secured)Secured.	Average	$300 – $5,000 (by deposit)

Fifth Third 1.67% Cash/Back1.67% on everything.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Fifth Third Preferred Cash/BackUp to 4% with a relationship.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Fifth Third TRIO3-2-1 categories.	Average	$500 – $20,000

Key Cashback2% with a Key checking account.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Key2More RewardsA points card.	Average	$500 – $20,000
KeyBank LatitudeLow APR.	Average	$500 – $15,000

M&T Visa Credit Card with RewardsA basic points card.	Average	$500 – $20,000
M&T Visa SignatureExtended rewards.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000

BMO Cash Back Mastercard5% rotating (up to a cap).	Average	$500 – $20,000
BMO Premium Rewards MastercardTravel/points.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000

TD CashCashback in categories.	Average	$500 – $20,000
TD Double Up2% on everything.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
TD Clear (no-fee/low)A flat fee instead of interest.	Average	$500 – $15,000

Platinum Visa for Rebuilding CreditAF up to $99; for rebuilding. ❗ Low limit ($300–$1,500) + AF up to $99. Useless for the client.	Bad	$300 – $1,500
Wander / Amex (Credit One)Rewards; mid-tier segment. ❗ Low limit ($300–$1,500) + AF up to $99. Useless for the client.	Bad	$500 – $5,000

The best US credit cards

What makes a card good or junk

Section 1 · Banks: 88 issuers

Section 2 · Credit unions: 82 unions

All articles

Leave a request

Surge Platinum MastercardSoft-pull prequal; high fees.	Bad	$300 – $1,000
Reﬂex Platinum MastercardA Surge analog.	Bad	$300 – $1,000
FIT MastercardHigh fees; for rebuilding.	Bad	$400 – $1,000

Indigo MastercardPrequal; OK after bankruptcy.	Bad	$300 – $1,000
Milestone MastercardStarting limit from $700; high fees.	Bad	$300 – $1,000
Destiny MastercardFor weak credit.	Bad	$300 – $1,000

Aspire Cash Back MastercardPrequal; up to 3% cashback, high fees.	Bad	$500 – $1,000
Fortiva Credit CardAF + monthly fee + APR 35%+.	Bad	$300 – $1,000

Ally Unlimited Cash Back Mastercard2% on everything; online bank.	Good	$500 – $20,000
Ally Everyday Cash Back Mastercard3% in categories; for mid-tier credit.	Average	$500 – $15,000

Eagle Navigator Visa SignatureTravel; for military and families.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000+
Cashback Rewards Plus American Express5% gas/military bases (up to a cap).	Good	$1,000 – $25,000+
Preferred Cash Rewards Visa1.5% on everything.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000+
Secured VisaSecured; USAA membership.	Average	$250 – $5,000 (by deposit)

Visa Max Cash Preferred (Elan) 5% in selected categories; Northeast. Issued by Elan.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Visa Cash Rewards (Elan)1.5% on everything; Northeast.	Average	$500 – $20,000

Visa Signature Flagship Rewards3x travel; AF $49; NFCU membership.	Good	$1,000 – $50,000+
More Rewards American Express3x on groceries/gas/restaurants; no AF.	Good	$500 – $30,000+
cashRewards1.75% on everything.	Good	$500 – $30,000+
PlatinumLow APR; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $30,000+

Power Cash Rewards Visa Signatureup to 2% on everything; membership open to all.	Good	$500 – $25,000+
Platinum Rewards Visa Signature5x gas, 3x groceries.	Good	$500 – $25,000+
Gold VisaLow APR; no rewards.	Average	$500 – $20,000

Choice Rewards World Mastercard2x categories; $0 balance transfer fee.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Platinum MastercardLow APR (12–18%).	Average	$500 – $20,000

Rewards World MastercardPre-approval inside Online Banking; California.	Good	$1,000 – $25,000
Secured MastercardSecured.	Average	$300 – $5,000 (by deposit)