Best Credit Cards of June 2024

The best credit card overall is the Chase Freedom Unlimited, thanks to its strong standard 1.5% cashback and bonus categories. It also has no annual fee and a welcome offer of up to $300.

Getting one of the best credit cards can help ensure you maximize rewards, enjoy unique perks, and access additional services, such as rental car insurance. However, not all credit cards are equal. Some charge an annual fee that reduces the card's value; others offer little reward value, and some limit how and where to use them. Do your research before applying, and use this list to help you find the best options.

Quick Look: The Best Credit Cards of 2024

• Best for Overall: Chase Freedom Unlimited
• Best for Dining Perks and Rewards: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for Standard 2% Cash Back: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
• Best for Higher Rewards on Everyday Spending Categories: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
• Best for 21-month 0% APR on Balance Transfers: Citi Diamond Preferred Card
• Best for First Credit Card: Discover it Student Cash Back
• Best for Fair Credit: Citi Custom Cash Card
• Best for Amazon Prime Members: Prime Visa
• Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
• Best for Secured Credit Card: Discover it Secured Credit Card

The Best Credit Cards

Here’s a look at the best credit cards of 2024, alongside their pros and cons, to help you find the best card for you based on your needs.

1. Best Overall: Chase Freedom Unlimited

When you want an all-around good card, you turn to Chase Freedom Unlimited. It has no annual fee, earns a minimum of 1.5% cashback with many categories that earn above that, no minimums to redeem cash back, and an intro APR of 0% for 15 months. Your cashback never expires as long as the card is open. The card is also great for travel rewards at 6.5% when you buy through Chase Travel. You’ll also get 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and 3% on delivery services. Get access to Chase Credit Journey to monitor your credit and alerts to ensure your financial well-being.

Bonus Offer: Receive an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 in purchases in the first year, which can translate to as much as $300 cash back.

2. Best for Dining Perks and Rewards: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards

For those who hate cooking at home, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card offers perks to help you get the most out of that habit. This includes 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. You’ll also enjoy 3% cash back on dining, other entertainment purchases, grocery stores, and eligible streaming services. The card has no fee and a 0% interest rate for 15 months.

Bonus Offer: Spend $500 within the first three months and earn a $200 reward bonus.

3. Best for Standard 2% Cash Back: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

All those variable cash-back categories take time to keep track of. When you want to earn rewards without choosing which card to pull from your wallet to maximize those rewards, get the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card for 2% rewards on everything. While you won’t have massive categories where you can earn 5% or more, the flat rate might balance out or come close to balancing out for you without all the extra work that some variable cash-back cards present. It is a very transparent card, which is ideal for those who don’t have time for fine print. 

Bonus Offer: Spend $500 within the first three months and earn a $200 reward bonus.

4. Best for Higher Rewards on Everyday Spending Categories: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

When you want a card that earns rewards on practical, everyday expenses, you’ll find it with this card. Earn 3% cash back on supermarkets, online retail purchases and gas stations. Those rewards can be redeemed for a statement credit or applied directly through your Amazon account on purchases. Enjoy extra perks on your Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle by getting a $7 monthly statement credit when you spend $9.99 or more on your subscription. And if you subscribe to Home Chef, you can earn another $15 per month back on your card.

Bonus Offer: Spend $2,000 on the card in the first six months and earn an extra $200 in rewards.

5. Best for 21-month 0% APR on Balance Transfers: Citi Diamond Preferred Card

If you’ve found yourself in credit card debt and need a way to get out or quickly pay it down, this card with a 21-month 0% APR on balance transfers can help. You’ll need to complete the balance transfer within four months of opening the new card to get access to the offer, but the chance to pay down debt without accruing additional interest can be life-changing. The most significant setback to this card is that it does not earn rewards on purchases.

Bonus Offer: For the first 12 months after opening the account, you will receive a 21-month 0% APR on balance transfers and 0% APR on new purchases.

6. Best for First Credit Card: Discover it Student Cash Back

Start building your credit with the Discover it Student Cash Back. The card has no annual fee and does not require a credit score to apply, though you’ll still need to meet specific creditworthiness criteria to be approved. View your FICO score in your Discover account each month to see your credit grow and the largest impacts on your credit. Refer your friends to earn additional rewards for you and your friend to increase your cash back.

Bonus Offer: Unlimited cash back match for your first year. 

7. Best for Fair Credit Card: Citi Custom Cash Card

Applicants with fair credit might qualify for the Citi Custom Cash Card. Eligible applicants can get approved for this card with a credit score as low as 580 if they meet other underwriting criteria. The card has a 15-month 0% APR on balance transfers and new purchases. Earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. 

Bonus Offer: Earn $200 in cash back when you spend $1,500 using the card within six months of opening the account.

8. Best for Amazon Prime Members: Prime Visa

Amazon Prime members can earn 5% cash back on their purchases with the Prime Visa. This includes Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. Plus, you can earn 5% back on Chase Travel purchases. You’ll also earn 2% on gas stations, restaurants and transit. Earn a flat 1% on everything else. One unique perk is that your cashback is added the next day after your purchase, allowing you to redeem it sooner without waiting for the next billing period.

Bonus Offer: Amazon Prime members get a $100 Amazon gift card upon opening the account.

9. Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

When you want a travel credit card without being tied to only staying with specific hotel chains or flying one airline, go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. You can redeem your rewards dollar for dollar with travel partners or enjoy an additional 25% in value when you use Chase Travel. Although the card has a $95 annual fee, it comes with $50 in statement credits for your Chase Travel bookings.

Bonus Offer: Bonus 75,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening the account.

10. Best for Secured Credit Card: Discover it Secured Credit Card

You can build or rebuild your credit using a secured credit card when you have no or abysmal credit. You’ll have as much credit as the money you put down as collateral. But then you can start earning rewards on your purchases while focusing on credit improvements and growth. Many secured credit cards offer minimal or no cash-back rewards, making this a unique opportunity. Once you reach a certain point with your credit, Discover will review your account to see if it can return your collateral deposit to you. The minimum credit line you can open is $200 and the maximum is $2,500.

Bonus Offer: Unlimited cash back match for your first year. 

How Do Credit Cards Work?

Having a credit card can make it simpler to complete both in-person and online purchases. You’ll use the card at checkout and, depending on the card you select, receive perks and potentially cash-back rewards. You’ll need to make the minimum payment on the card to avoid paying interest on your purchases, which can be as much as 29.99%.

How Do Credit Card Rewards Work?

Credit card rewards come in many types, but the basic idea is to spend and earn more. This gives you a higher incentive to spend while expecting to rack up returns. 

Types of Rewards

• Cash Back: You earn a percentage of your spending back in cash, which you can redeem as a statement credit, direct deposit, or even a check.
• Travel Miles: These cards offer points or miles redeemable for flights, hotels and other travel expenses. Frequent travelers can accumulate points for dream vacations or upgrades.
• Points: These cards offer points that can be redeemed for various rewards, including travel, merchandise, gift cards, or even statement credits. Flexibility is the key here and you must research to ensure that the points can be redeemed for things that fit your lifestyle.

Tracking Credit Card Rewards

There are several ways to keep track of your credit card rewards. Most issuers can track and see on their app or dashboard. Otherwise, manually viewing it in your balance and recent activity is a way, too. It becomes pretty tedious if that’s the case. Still, all credit card companies have customer service through chat or a call that can give you your exact reward status (especially if you’re tracking your bonus offer points!) Regardless of your chosen method, understand your program's details, such as earning and redeeming points for the best value.

How Is Credit Card Interest Calculated?

Interest rates are calculated after a “grace period” on your statement. You won't be charged interest if you pay your statement balance in full monthly. However, if you carry anything over from your previous month’s statement, you'll be charged interest based on your card's annual interest rate, which is applied daily.

The interest rate is listed on your statement. For example, a 24% APR is about 0.066% per day on the remaining statement balance. At the end of each billing cycle, your issuer calculates the interest you owe based on your daily balances and adds this to your next month's minimum payment. Note that credit card interest does compound, but it doesn't get added to your daily balance until the first day of the next billing cycle, so you must keep a close eye.

Major Types Of Credit Cards — Which Is Best For You?

Rewards Credit Cards

Most people apply for credit cards that cater to their lifestyles. Our round-up of the best rewards credit cards guides you through the most currency bonus offers and various credit score requirements. 

• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Best Airline Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Travel
• Best Hotel Credit Cards

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Balance Transfer Credit Cards are considered quick fixes to debt as these cards offer a 0% introductory APR on transferred balances, allowing you to save on interest and pay down debt faster. The fees and rates aren’t low forever; with limited time, you have to make a financial plan to make sure not only to pay the minimum balance monthly but also to complete the whole balance before the 0% APR intro period is over. An important tip: avoid using the same card for any ongoing or new purchases, as this can lead to forgetting the initial balance transfer amount.

Low-interest and 0% APR Credit Cards

Most big credit card companies do not offer low-interest or 0% APR (unless balance transfer) cards. Low-interest cards usually do not have a 0% period like some very high-interest rate cards do. If you desire an actual low-interest card, your best option is to explore offerings from smaller banks or credit unions. You can check out our top picks for 0% APR credit cards in 2024 to find the best one.

Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards are great for small business owners or entrepreneurs looking to maximize their spending rewards. They offer specific benefits tailored to business owners' needs, such as higher credit limits, expense tracking tools for multiple employee cards, and niche rewards.

Credit Cards for Building Credit or Student Credit Cards

Receiving offers for good credit cards can be challenging, particularly for younger individuals with no credit history. Two types of credit cards are beneficial for establishing a solid credit score when lacking a credit history.

• Credit-Builder Cards: These cards are perfect for beginners with no credit history. They often have lower limits and may require a security deposit, but responsible use builds a favorable credit profile.

• Student Credit Cards are ideal for students with limited credit history. They offer features like rewards programs and reports to credit bureaus, helping you build credit while managing everyday expenses.

Depending on spending habits, these options are suitable for building credit!

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for You

1. Be Financially Self-Aware: Look at your credit history and score to determine which credit card falls within your recommended range. Remember that each hard credit check affects your score, so make sure to only apply for credit cards you are preapproved for or have a high chance of being approved.

1. Consider Your Spending Habits: Since opening credit cards will decrease your average credit card history, you want to ensure every card is opened with a purpose. Compare credit card features to hone in on specific usages for rewards, balance transfers, or building credit.

1. Take Fees Into Consideration: Credit card companies use heavy fees to keep people in debt. Reading the fine print to ensure you are aware of credit card annual fees, late fees, and balance transfer fees is very important before making decisions. Consider the fees as monthly expenses to see if they are affordable.

How to Apply for a Credit Card

Applying for credit cards can be done in four easy steps:

1. Review Credit Score and Check Offers: Review your credit score to establish a baseline, and check your banking apps for any prequalified offers.
2. Research & Compare: Using your credit score, research cards that fit into that range and compare their rewards, usage, and fees to pick the best choice for your spending habit.
3. Apply On Card Company Site: Preapproval is preferred; if not, apply to the credit card of choice and wait for the review process.
4. Activate & Monitor: When the card arrives, activate it following the card instructions, and monitor spending to avoid incurring extra fees or accruing interest.

What's the Difference Between Visa and Mastercard?

While accepted worldwide, Visa and Mastercard have some essential differences that you should consider but might be optional. Mastercard has more international acceptance but more Visa credit cards are in circulation domestically and internationally. 

Both offer standard cards with similar features, but these perks can differ depending on the issuing bank. This means you can find cards with no annual fees, boosted rewards in specific categories, or even lower interest rates. While both are global payment giants, it is worth checking the details before choosing which card is right for you. Traditional Visas usually include roadside assistance, a nice perk, but you may also find it in a specific branded Mastercard.

What's the Best Credit Card Company?

The best credit card company will depend on your spending categories and habits. However, Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card types and are readily available with various reward options and features to match your needs.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?

The number of credit cards you should have is based on your spending habits and ability to manage them. Having many credit cards means you should use only some of them. Too few also affect your credit score if you spend too much on just one. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of having too many credit cards. 

Getting the Most from Everyday Purchases

Signing up for the best credit card offers can ensure you get the most benefit from your everyday purchases. Great perks include purchase protection, added insurance on purchases, and more. Review the best options and apply for the one that best matches your financial situation and creditworthiness