Credit Card Reviews of 2024

• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Best Airline Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Small Business Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Building Credit
• Best Zero Interest Credit Cards
• Best Student Credit Cards

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex℠, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, Citi® Double Cash Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card†, AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard®, American Express Cash Magnet® Card, AT&T Points Plus® Card, Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®†, Citi Rewards+® Card, U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card, PNC Points® Visa® Credit Card, Save Wealth Premium, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card, JetBlue Plus Card, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®, JetBlue Card, Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard®, Citi Premier® Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Wyndham Rewards® Earner Plus Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Capital One Spark Cash Plus†, Capital One Spark Miles for Business†, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†, U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®, Capital One Spark 1% Classic†, CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®, Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit†, Wyndham Rewards® Earner Business Card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Citi® Secured Mastercard®, Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, Citi Simplicity® Card, U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, BankAmericard® Credit Card, Chase Freedom® Student credit card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Popular Credit Card Reviews

A credit card is one of life's most powerful tools. Responsible use can result in a good credit score which opens the door to auto loans, mortgages, and even favorable health insurance. Some of the most important things in life are made possible thanks to credit cards.

You can choose from dozens of the best credit cards. Whether you're after cash back, free hotel stays, super cheap airfare, a tool to help grow your small business, or even if you've got poor/no credit and would like to improve your credit score, there's a card for you.

Insider's ultimate credit card reviews guide will help you find the exact product you're looking for.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

$0

0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Consider a cash back credit card if:

• Your aim is to effectively discount all your purchases
• You value the simplicity and flexibility of cash over potentially more valuable rewards
• Your primary goals don't involve travel

In terms of flexibility, cash back is the king of credit card rewards. Many cash back credit cards give you the option to redeem your rewards as either cash, a statement credit, or a transfer to your bank account. Occasionally you'll be subject to a minimum redemption amount, but that's the only potential stumbling block you'll likely encounter.

Flat-rate cash-back cards, like the best 2% cash back credit cards, are suited to those who don't want to keep track of multiple bonus categories and just want a simple earning structure. But choosing a card that earns maximum cash back in bonus categories where you spend a lot — like groceries, dining, or gas — can make a huge difference in your rate of return.

Best cash back credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best cash-back credit cards guide.

Other cash back credit cards

Best Airline Credit Cards

Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2 miles on all other purchases.

$395

N/A

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

Consider an airline credit card if:

• You want free checked bags
• You want to board the plane before most other passengers
• Your travel plans are flexible (either travel dates or destination)

If you want to use travel rewards to save money on flights, an airline credit card is a must. You can choose between credit cards that earn airline miles, or cards that earn more flexible rewards points that you can transfer to various frequent flyer programs.

Airline cards also often come with valuable ongoing benefits like a free checked bag, priority boarding, or even airport lounge access. And it's not uncommon to find increased welcome bonuses worth well over $1,000 in travel.

Best airline credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best airline credit cards guide.

Other airline credit cards

Best Travel Credit Cards

Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.

$95

N/A

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Consider a travel/flexible points credit card if:

• You're interested in (nearly) free travel
• You want a card that compensates you for baggage delays, rental car accidents, flight delays, etc.
• You'd like to upgrade your travel experience with benefits such as airport lounge access, expedited airport security, and free food at select airport restaurants.

While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point. 

In fact, it's possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you're strategic about how you redeem your rewards for travel, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights.

While in most cases you'll pay an annual fee for travel cards, there are some no-annual-fee travel credit cards that come with strong earning rates and benefits that can improve your travel experience.

Read Insider's latest points and miles valuations to find out how much your rewards are worth, and find out how we calculated these valuations in our methodology guide.

Best travel credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best travel credit cards guide.

Other travel credit cards

Best Hotel Credit Cards

Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.

$95

N/A

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Consider a hotel credit card if:

• You want free hotel stays
• You value hotel elite status (free breakfast, upgraded rooms, bonus points, etc.)
• You stay at one specific hotel chain a lot

If you're thinking about opening a hotel credit card, the first step is to analyze your travel goals.

Are you a road-tripper who wants to book cheap hotels along the highway? Do you mostly use small-town hotels during trips to grandma's for Thanksgiving? Do you want a five-star vacation in the Maldives?

It's also important to consider the credit card's sign-up bonus, recurring benefits, ease of earning free nights via credit card spending, category bonuses, and elite status perks (if any).

The best hotel credit cards offer a free night after each account anniversary or for meeting spending thresholds. These nights can be worth much more than the cards' annual fees, and make them worth keeping year after year.

Best hotel credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best hotel credit cards guide.

Other hotel credit cards

Best Small Business Credit Cards

Earn 2% cash back on everyday eligible business purchases (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

$0

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening

18.49% - 26.49% Variable

Earn a $250 statement credit

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good choice for earning 2% cash back on all your eligible purchases up to $50,000 a year
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your business spends more than $50,000 a year, you'll want to use a different card to earn bonus cash back once you meet that threshold

If you're spending money on your business anyway, you should be rewarded for those purchases by using one of the best small-business credit cards. With The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, you can earn unlimited cash back on your spending with no annual fee.

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
• From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That's why you've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
• Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

Consider a small business credit card if:

• You have a full-time small business or even a part-time side gig (like Lyft driving, petsitting, freelance writing, Instacart delivery, etc.)
• You want to keep personal and business expenses separate
• You tend to cycle your credit limit each billing period

You'd be surprised at what qualifies you for a small business credit card. Small businesses aren't always multi-million dollar operations — whether you're a freelancer, a Lyft driver, an Instacart shopper, or have any other side hustle, you could qualify for a small business credit card. Whether you want a small-business card that earns cash back, a general rewards business card, or a business card with no annual fee, there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you've got a sizable business, keeping your personal and business finances separate is vital. Things can get murky quickly when you're cutting personal and business checks from the same account — a business credit card will not only help separate expenses, but also help you establish business credit, so that you have flexibility later on with loans and leases.

Best small business credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best small business credit cards guide.

Other small business credit cards

Best Credit Cards for Building Credit

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

$0

N/A

28.24% Variable

Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™

New/Rebuilding

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers cash-back rewards, which isn't a given for secured credit cards
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Discover matches cash back after your first account year

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You must fund the security deposit from a bank account

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is worth considering if you're new to credit or are working on rebuilding your score, since it's unlikely you'll be approved for any of the best credit cards on the market. It's unique because it earns strong rewards when most other secured credit cards do not.

• No credit score required to apply.
• No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
• Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
• Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
• Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It's free, activate with the mobile app.
• Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Consider a credit card for poor/no credit if:

• You're young and/or just beginning your credit journey
• You've recently immigrated to the US and have no credit history
• You're rebuilding your credit

Having a low credit score makes it harder to get approved for a new credit card and other types of loans, and it means that when you do get approved for, say, a mortgage, you'll generally get less-favorable terms like the highest variable interest rates. A bad credit score is defined as anything below 580, according to the FICO scoring model.

It may seem counterintuitive, but opening and using a credit card responsibly is one of the best ways to build your credit history and score. If you're starting from scratch or need to rebuild from some credit mishaps in the past, consider one of the best secured credit cards as a stepping stone to more rewarding cards in the future.

Best credit cards for limited/no credit

This table reflects our current picks from the best credit cards for bad credit guide.

Other credit cards for limited/no credit

Best Zero Interest Credit Cards

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months, then 18.24% - 28.99% Variable APR.

$0

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months

18.24% - 28.99% Variable

N/A

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Very long intro APR period for balance transfers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Charges a balance transfer fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No rewards (but that’s not the point of this card)

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card's biggest selling point is the intro APR on balance transfers and purchases — among the longest of any card with an intro APR offer. However, it doesn't earn rewards for spending, nor does it usually come with a welcome bonus offer.

Consider a 0% APR card if:

• You've currently got credit card debt that you're trying to quickly reduce
• You've got a large upcoming purchase that will take months to pay off 
• Your primary concern isn't credit card rewards 

Credit card interest fees can be absolutely crippling if you dig yourself into a hole of debt. Some credit cards incur over 30% APR — meaning you could pay thousands of dollars in interest in a single year by neglecting to pay off your card balances each month.

If you're paying interest on your credit card — or if you anticipate a large expense that'll take several months to pay off (medical bills, emergency car maintenance, etc.), a zero-interest credit card with an introductory 0% APR is just what you need. Some cards give you many months to pay off new purchases before any interest accrues. Others allow you to transfer a balance from your high-interest credit card while giving you an equally generous 0% interest window.

Best 0% APR credit cards

This table reflects some of our current picks from the best 0% APR credit cards guide.

Other credit cards for 0% intro APR

Best Student Credit Cards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

$0

0% intro APR for six months on purchases

18.24% - 27.24% Variable

Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™

Fair/New to Credit

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. From January 1 to March 31, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at restaurants and drug stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Discover matches your cash back after the first year

• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not the most rewarding cash-back card for non-bonus purchases

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great choice if you're a student with limited credit history and want to earn a strong rate of cash back on your everyday spending without paying an annual fee.

• Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It's free, activate with the mobile app.
• No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Consider a student credit card if:

• You are a college student without established credit
• You don't want a secured credit card
• You want benefits that cater to student expenses

Applying for your first credit card is an exciting milestone regardless of age, but young adults can find it hard to get approved with limited income and credit history. Some parents add their children as credit card authorized users while they're still minors to get a head start on building credit, but this strategy isn't a good fit for everyone.

If you're a student without established credit, there are still plenty of credit cards that you can qualify for. Then, once you've improved your credit score by using a credit card responsibly, it can be easier to upgrade to more lucrative rewards credit cards.

Best student credit cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best student credit cards guide.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of Discover it® Secured Credit Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of Discover it® Student Cash Back, please click here.

*All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Business Insider.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyxsdGspqeZnGKzqrrAp5qeZ5OWvarAwKVkqKaVYsOmutOuqZ5lpqh6pLXTomSpqpWitqa%2B