The best credit cards for good credit
When choosing a credit card for good credit, consider your spending habits and financial goals. Look for a card that offers valuable rewards, competitive interest rates, and attractive perks.
Written by
Javier Ortega-Araiza is a writer, storyteller, serial entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded a seven figures company in the educational travel sector, connecting students and professionals in finance and tech ecosystems like Silicon Valley, London, and New York. He also has experience in equity research and in the family office sector.
Written by
Editor
Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Bankrate's senior editor of content partnerships.
Updated June 27, 2024, 1:23 PM EDT
Fox Money is a personal finance hub featuring content generated by Credible Operations, Inc. (Credible), which is majority-owned indirectly by Fox Corporation. The Fox Money content is created and reviewed independent of Fox News Media. Credible is solely responsible for this content and the services it provides.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
A good credit score can open up a world of financial opportunities, including access to some of the best cards on the market. These cards often come with rewards and perks to help you save money.
A good credit score, according to FICO, is between the 670-739 range. But it doesn’t mean the work is done. You should keep working to improve your score to reach the excellent tier, where even more benefits await. Choosing the right card for your financial goals and spending habits can help you get there.
We'll explore the best cards for good credit, comparing their features, benefits, and rewards to help you find the perfect card for your needs.
Best credit cards for good credit
- Best for flat-rate cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card
- Best for grocery purchases: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for rotating cash back: Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire® Preferred
- Best for dining out and entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for flat-rate cash back
If you’re looking for a hassle-free credit card, the Citi® Double Cash Card might suit you. This card offers a unique rewards structure that incentivizes cardholders to pay off their balances in full each month.
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel portal (through December 2024)
- Up to 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (1% when you buy, plus another 1% when you pay off purchases)
Annual fee: $0
With the Citi Double Cash Card, you'll earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay your bill. This gives you an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, making it one of the most rewarding flat-rate cash back cards.
There’s no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check
In addition to its strong rewards rate, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a few other notable perks. You'll get access to Citi Entertainment, which provides exclusive access to ticket presales and events.
The card also comes with an intro APR offer on balance transfers, making it a good choice if you need to transfer high-interest debt from another card.
Pros
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Cash back structure can foster responsible usage
- No annual fee
- Decent welcome bonus
- Intro APR offer on balance transfers
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee
- No introductory APR offer on purchases
- No bonus categories for higher rewards
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for grocery purchases
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is an excellent choice for those who spend significantly on groceries. This card offers one of the highest reward rates for U.S. supermarket purchases.
Rewards:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Annual fee: There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. See rates and fees.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.
The card does have a $95 annual fee, but for many, the high rewards rates more than offset this cost. It also comes with a solid welcome bonus and other perks, like a Disney Bundle Credit and Equinox+ credit.
You’ll also get access to benefits in the Amex network, including car rental loss and damage insurance (conditions apply), 24/7 travel emergency assistance, and return protection on eligible purchases.
Other notable perks of the Blue Cash Preferred Card include secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, American Express Experiences program access, and an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Pros
- High 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets
- Bonus cash back on select streaming services, transit, and gas
- Decent welcome bonus
- Introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Disney Bundle and Equinox+ statement credits
Cons
- Annual fee (waived for the first year)
- Foreign transaction fee
- Redemption options are limited to statement credits
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $6,000 per year in purchases
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for rotating cash back
The Discover it® Cash Back has a unique cash back rewards program that can be very lucrative for certain spenders. This card is an excellent choice for those who don't mind actively managing their credit card rewards.
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on purchases that fall in the quarter’s boosted category (up to $1,500 per quarter)
- 1% on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0
This card offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
One of the standout features of the Discover it Cash Back card is its unique sign-up bonus. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. This means if you earn $500 in cash back in your first year, Discover will match that, giving you a total of $1,000 in cash back.
The Discover it Cash Back card also offers a few other notable perks. You'll get a solid intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers. The card also has a free FICO credit score, and no annual or foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- 5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500)
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Cashback Match bonus at the end of the first year
- Solid introductory APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- 5% cash back is capped at the quarterly maximum
- Requires quarterly activation to earn 5% cash back
- Limited redemption options (no travel rewards, for example)
- It can be hard to keep up with rotating categories
Chase Sapphire® Preferred: Best for travel rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular travel rewards card that offers valuable points on travel and dining purchases.
Rewards:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding wholesale clubs), and select streaming services
- 2X points on all other travel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $95
When you redeem your points for travel through the Chase Travel portal, they're worth 25% more.
That means 60,000 points could be worth up to $750 when booking flights or hotels via Chase.
In addition to its strong rewards program, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a range of valuable travel benefits. These include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. You will also get one year of complimentary access to DashPass and six months of Instacart+.
Keep in mind that this card charges an annual fee of $95. There's also no introductory 0% APR offer for balance transfers or new purchases.
Pros
- Robust welcome offer
- No foreign transaction fees
- 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel
- Elevated rewards on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases
- 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase
- Valuable travel protections
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory APR offer
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining out and entertainment
If you are a foodie or entertainment lover, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card is a good choice. With no annual fee and strong rewards rates in these categories, it can help you maximize your everyday spending.
Rewards:
- 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats (through Nov. 14, 2024)
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0
The Capital One SavorOne Rewards card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. You can redeem cash back as a statement credit or on PayPal or Amazon purchases.
This card has an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers. This gives you time to pay off large purchases or transfer balances from high-interest cards.
Other notable perks of the SavorOne Cash Rewards card include no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty protection, and access to premium experiences through Capital One Entertainment.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- High 3% cash back rate on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries
- Introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- No bonus rewards on travel
- No luxury travel perks
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for travelers who want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee. This card offers a straightforward rewards structure and a few valuable perks.
Rewards:
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases
Annual fee: $95
With the Capital One VentureOne card, you'll earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. You can redeem miles for travel purchases through statement credits or booking through the Capital One Travel portal.
The VentureOne card also offers a lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. That makes it a solid choice if you need to finance a trip or transfer a balance from a high-interest card.
Other benefits of the VentureOne card include no foreign transaction fees and travel accident insurance.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Ability to transfer miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs
- Unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase
Cons
- Lower rewards rate compared to some other travel cards
- No luxury travel perks
- Redemption options are limited to travel rewards
Comparing the best cards for good credit
|
What is a good credit score?
A good credit score generally falls within the 670 to 739 range on the FICO score range of 300 to 850. However, some lenders may consider a score of 700 or higher to be good.
Several factors contribute to a good credit score, including:
- Payment history: Consistently making on-time payments is one of the most important factors in maintaining a good credit score.
- Credit utilization: Keeping your credit utilization (the amount of credit you use compared to your credit limits) low, ideally under 30%, can positively impact your score.
- Length of credit history: A longer credit history can contribute to a higher score, demonstrating your experience managing credit over time.
- Credit mix: A diverse mix of credit types (e.g., credit cards, installment loans, mortgages) can positively affect your score.
- New credit inquiries: Minimizing new credit applications and hard inquiries can help maintain a good score.
Having a good credit score can significantly impact your credit card options. With good credit, you're more likely to be approved for cards with competitive interest rates, valuable rewards, and attractive perks. You may also access higher credit limits and more favorable terms overall.
There are credit cards that can help you rebuild your credit (such as the Capital One Platinum) and others that are open to those with no credit history.
How can you get good credit?
Getting and maintaining a good credit score means being responsible for your financial behaviors over time. Here are some strategies to help you achieve and maintain good credit:
- Pay your bills on time, every time. Late payments can significantly damage your credit score, so pay at least the minimum payment by the due date.
- Keep your credit utilization low. Aim to use no more than 30% of your credit at any given time. This shows lenders that you can manage your credit responsibly without overextending yourself.
- Don't close old credit card accounts. The length of your credit history is a factor in your credit score. Keeping old accounts open (as long as they don't have annual fees) can help boost your score.
- Limit new credit applications. When you apply for credit, a hard inquiry is made on your credit report. Too many hard inquiries in a short period can lower your score.
- Monitor your credit report regularly. Check your credit report for errors or signs of fraudulent activity. You're entitled to one free credit report from each major credit bureau annually.
- Use a mix of credit types. Having a diverse credit mix, such as credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages, can demonstrate your ability to responsibly manage different types of credit.
Remember, building good credit takes time and consistency. By following these strategies, you can work towards achieving and maintaining a good credit score over time.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards for good credit
What is the difference between a good credit score and an excellent credit score?
While a good credit score typically ranges from 670 to 739, an excellent credit score is usually considered 800 or above. An excellent score can give you access to the best credit cards with the most competitive rates and rewards.
Do credit cards for good credit have annual fees?
Some credit cards for good credit have annual fees, while others do not. Cards with annual fees often come with more valuable rewards and perks, but it is important to assess whether the benefits outweigh the cost for your spending habits.
Can you get a balance transfer card with good credit?
Yes, many balance transfer cards are available to those with good credit. These cards often offer introductory 0% APR periods on balance transfers, allowing you to pay off high-interest debt without accruing additional interest charges.
How often should you use your credit card to maintain a good credit score?
To maintain a good credit score, it is recommended that you use your credit card regularly and pay off your balance in full each month. This shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly without overextending yourself.
The bottom line
Having a good credit score can open up a world of opportunities regarding credit cards. The best credit cards for good credit offer rewards, competitive interest rates, and perks that can help you save money.
When choosing a credit card, consider your spending habits and financial goals. Whether you're looking to earn cash back, maximize travel rewards, or simply build your credit over time, there's a card out there that can help you achieve your goals.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company
Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.