Credit card ledger
| Who it's for | Key number to check | Compare |
|---|---|---|
| First card or building credit Approval needs and annual fee | Approval needs and annual fee | Compare |
| Pulse pick Everyday cashback Flat rate vs rotating categories | Flat rate vs rotating categories | Compare |
| Carrying a balance 0% intro APR length and transfer fee | 0% intro APR length and transfer fee | Compare |
| Travel and miles Foreign transaction fee and bonus spend | Foreign transaction fee and bonus spend | Compare |
| Students No annual fee and credit-building tools | No annual fee and credit-building tools | Compare |
Mastercard · student
Best for: International students building US credit
One of the few cards that accepts international students without SSN. Rewards are modest but accessibility is the draw.
View cardBest for: People wanting forced savings alongside credit building
Unique combo of credit building and forced savings. Requires an active Self credit-builder loan account.
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Amex · cashback
Best for: Ideal for those who spend heavily on groceries and streaming services, particularly families looking to maximize cash back rewards.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers robust cash back rates, especially for grocery and streaming purchases, making it a great choice for families and frequent spenders.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: Frequent Southwest travelers with good credit who prefer to earn rewards on airline purchases.
This card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers who value earning points on airline-related purchases. However, the high APR range of 21.49%-28.49% can be a disadvantage for those carrying a balance.
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Amex · travel
Best for: This card is best for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to earn bonus points on everyday purchases.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a solid choice for frequent Hilton guests, offering generous rewards and no annual fee.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: This card is best suited for individuals looking to build their credit history while earning cash back on everyday purchases.
The Chase Freedom Rise® is a solid choice for those new to credit, offering cash back without an annual fee. However, its high APR may be daunting for some users.
View cardBest for: People with large purchases to finance interest-free
One of the longest 0% intro periods available. No rewards but built purely for saving on interest.
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Mastercard · cashback
Best for: Ideal for regular Target shoppers who want to maximize their savings and enjoy benefits like free shipping.
The Target Circle™ Card offers solid savings for frequent Target shoppers, but it may not be the best option for those seeking extensive rewards beyond Target purchases.
View cardVisa · student
Best for: Students who bank with Bank of America
A reliable student card from a major bank with an intro APR offer. Good for building a banking relationship with BofA.
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Mastercard · secured
Best for: Individuals with poor credit scores (300 and above) looking to establish or rebuild credit.
This card for those needing to improve their credit score without facing an annual fee. However, the high APR of 29.99% makes it costly for carrying a balance.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: Best for consumers looking for a simple cash back card without annual fees or complicated reward structures.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is a strong choice for those seeking straightforward cash back rewards without the hassle of rotating categories.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: This card is best for travelers looking to maximize rewards on purchases, especially those who frequently book through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers solid travel rewards with a straightforward earning structure, making it appealing for frequent travelers.
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Visa · travel
Best for: Frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties and have good credit.
This card is for frequent Marriott guests looking to maximize travel rewards. However, the high APR may not be carry a balance.
View cardMastercard
Best for: People who want to passively build credit using subscriptions they already pay for, without taking on traditional credit card risk.
Grow Credit takes a unique approach — rather than traditional spending, it pays your existing subscription bills (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) and reports those payments to all three credit bureaus. The free tier covers one subscription, and paid tiers cover more. It's a passive way to build credit without changing your spending habits.
View cardBest for: Truist bank customers wanting low interest
Solid low-rate option from a major bank. Good for existing Truist customers.
View cardMastercard · unsecured
Best for: Consumers with less-than-perfect credit who prefer an unsecured credit card and value monthly reporting to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
The FIT Platinum Mastercard may be an option for consumers with less-than-perfect credit who specifically need an unsecured card, but its high APR and multiple fees make lower-cost credit-building cards worth comparing first.
View cardMastercard · student
Best for: Students with bad credit denied by other issuers
Last-resort student card with high fees. Only consider if denied everywhere else.
View cardMastercard
Best for: People wanting to build credit within the Citi ecosystem
Solid secured card from a major issuer. No annual fee and a clear path to graduating to an unsecured Citi card.
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Visa · business
Best for: This card is ideal for small business owners looking to maximize cash back on everyday expenses, especially in office supply and telecommunications.
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers robust rewards for business expenses without an annual fee, making it a solid choice for small business owners.
View cardvisa · cashback
Best for: Walmart.com shoppers who frequently use online ordering or pickup/delivery
Solid for Walmart online shoppers getting 5% back, but the in-store rate of 2% is average.
View cardA 0.99% balance-transfer APR lasts 12 months, with no annual or foreign transaction fee, but membership limits who can apply.
The $0 annual fee is appealing, but a 24.4%–33.4% APR can erase Walmart rewards quickly if you carry a balance.
Thanksgiving airfare averages $402. See how 75,000 miles, 2X rewards and a $300 travel credit may reduce holiday costs.