Top 20 Credit Cards in the USA for All Types and Millennials

Introduction

Welcome to creditcardto.com, your trusted resource for navigating the complex world of credit cards. In today’s financial landscape, choosing the right credit card can significantly impact your financial health and lifestyle. Whether you’re a seasoned cardholder or new to the credit game, our comprehensive guide is designed to help you make an informed decision.

This guide showcases the top 20 credit cards available in the USA, carefully selected to cater to various needs, spending habits, and lifestyles. We’ve paid special attention to options that are particularly appealing to millennials, who often seek cards with innovative features, robust rewards programs, and perks that align with their dynamic lifestyles.

Why is this guide important for you?

1. Tailored Selection: We’ve done the hard work of researching and comparing countless credit cards to bring you a curated list of the best options available.
2. Diverse Options: From travel rewards to cash back, from luxury perks to student-friendly features, our list covers a wide range of card types to suit different needs.
3. Detailed Information: For each card, we provide comprehensive details on annual fees, rewards structures, sign-up bonuses, and key benefits, allowing you to compare options easily.
4. Focus on Value: We highlight cards that offer the best value for various spending patterns, helping you maximize your rewards and benefits.
5. Current Information: Our guide is updated regularly to ensure you have the most recent information to make your decision.

As you explore this guide, consider your spending habits, financial goals, and lifestyle preferences. The perfect credit card for you is one that not only rewards your spending but also aligns with your financial aspirations and habits.

Let’s dive into our top 20 list and find the credit card that’s right for you!

Best for Travel

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards:
  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases
  • 2x points on other travel purchases
  • 1x point on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards:
  • 2x miles on every purchase
  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
  • Miles transfer to 15+ travel loyalty programs

3. American Express Gold Card

• Annual Fee: $250
• Rewards:
  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x)
  • 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
  • 1x points on all other purchases
• Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months
• Key Benefits:
  • $120 annual dining credit
  • $120 annual Uber Cash
  • No foreign transaction fees

4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases (then 17.24% – 27.24% Variable APR)

5. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards:
  • 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts
  • 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
  • 3x points on all other purchases
• Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Free Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year

Best for Cash Back

6. Discover it® Cash Back

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%)
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Cashback Match™ – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free FICO® Credit Score monitoring

7. Citi Double Cash Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
• Key Benefits:
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR)
  • Citi® Identity Theft Solutions

8. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards:
  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
  • 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Welcome Offer: Earn $350 back after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
• Key Benefits:
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then 18.24% – 29.24% variable APR)
  • Return Protection

9. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• Key Benefits:
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 19.24% – 27.99% variable APR)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection

10. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR)
  • Cell phone protection

Best for Everyday Spending

11. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Extended warranty protection

12. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery
  • 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, and gas stations
  • 1x point on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
• Key Benefits:
  • $15 annual credit for streaming services
  • No foreign transaction fees

13. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent, then 1%)
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
• Key Benefits:
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR)
  • Citi Entertainment® access

14. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Extended warranty protection

15. Chase Freedom Flex℠

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter)
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • Cell phone protection
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection

Best for Specific Retailers

16. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

• Annual Fee: $0 (but requires Amazon Prime membership)
• Rewards:
  • 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
  • 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
  • 1% back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Get a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon approval
• Key Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel and purchase protections

17. Apple Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 3% cash back on Apple purchases and select merchants using Apple Pay
  • 2% cash back on all other Apple Pay purchases
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Key Benefits:
  • No fees of any kind
  • Daily Cash rewards
  • Innovative financial health tools

Best for Business Owners

18. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%)
• Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in your first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • Expanded Buying Power
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance

Best for Airline Rewards

19. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Annual Fee: $69
• Rewards:
  • 2x points on Southwest® purchases
  • 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
  • 2x points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
  • 1x point on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Key Benefits:
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® per year

Best for Students

20. Discover it® Student Cash Back

• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%)
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up Bonus: Cashback Match™ – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
• Key Benefits:
  • $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years
  • Free FICO® Credit Score monitoring

Conclusion

Choosing the right credit card is a personal decision that depends on your individual financial situation, spending habits, and goals. Whether you’re looking for travel rewards, cash back, or a card tailored to a specific retailer or airline, there’s an option on this list for you.

Remember to consider factors such as annual fees, interest rates, and your credit score when applying for a new card. Always read the terms and conditions carefully, and use your credit responsibly to build a strong financial future.

At creditcardto.com, we’re committed to helping you make informed decisions about your finances. We hope this guide has helped you narrow down your choices and find the perfect credit card for your needs. Happy exploring, and here’s to smarter spending and better rewards!

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, or services mentioned in this article.

This content should not be considered as financial advice. Credit card offers change frequently, and the information presented here may not reflect the most current offerings or terms. We strongly recommend that readers consult with qualified financial advisors or contact credit card issuers directly for the most up-to-date information before making any financial decisions or applying for credit cards.

Your financial situation is unique, and the products and services discussed may not be appropriate for your circumstances. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for any financial product.

Creditcardto.com does not guarantee approval for any credit card application. Credit approval depends on various factors, including but not limited to your credit score, income, and existing financial obligations.

By using this information, you agree that creditcardto.com is not responsible or liable for any decisions made based on the information provided in this article.

Last updated: August 29, 2024. Please check individual credit card issuer websites for the most current information.