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
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.
View cardVisa · student
Best for: Students who frequently dine out or pay for streaming
One of the best student cards for rewards. The 3% dining rate beats most starter cards.
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.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: Best for consumers who want to maximize their cash back rewards in specific spending categories and prefer no annual fees.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card offers flexible cash back options tailored to your spending habits, making it a solid choice for those who value customization.
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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Best for: Regular shoppers at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, or Sierra
A solid store card for off-price shoppers, covering five TJX brands with 5% back and no annual fee.
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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.
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Mastercard · secured
Best for: Best for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history without incurring annual fees.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers a straightforward path to credit building without an annual fee, but high APR can be a downside.
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Visa · student
Best for: Best for students seeking to establish credit with a low-cost option.
The Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card offers a solid entry point for students looking to build credit while earning cash back on purchases.
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Best for: Regular Nordstrom shoppers who value early sale access and alterations
A straightforward department store card with early sale access — good for loyal Nordstrom shoppers but the 3% return is average.
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Mastercard · cashback
Best for: This card is best for individuals who frequently spend in rotating categories and want to maximize cash back without an annual fee.
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers a compelling cash back structure with no annual fee, making it a solid choice for rewards seekers.
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Visa · balance_transfer
Best for: This card is best for individuals looking to transfer balances and pay down debt without accruing interest for an extended period.
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is a strong choice for those looking to manage debt with a lengthy interest-free period.
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Visa · cashback
Best for: This card is best for frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards on travel-related purchases and enjoy premium travel perks.
The Capital One Venture X offers attractive travel rewards for frequent travelers, but its high annual fee may limit its appeal to casual users.
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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: People wanting forced savings alongside credit building
Unique combo of credit building and forced savings. Requires an active Self credit-builder loan account.
View cardVisa · student
Best for: Students with no credit who want a no-fee card
No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no late fees on first occurrence. The alternative underwriting helps students without credit history.
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Mastercard · balance_transfer
Best for: Best for consumers looking to consolidate debt without immediate interest charges.
This card is an excellent choice for individuals focused on balance transfers due to its long 0% APR promotion.
View cardVisa · unsecured
Best for: Consumers rebuilding credit who want an unsecured Visa card and can benefit from cash back on select everyday spending categories.
The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit may fit consumers seeking an unsecured credit-building card with limited cash back rewards, but the high variable APR and $75 first-year annual fee, increasing to $99 thereafter, make it important to compare costs with other credit-building options.
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