The Best Credit Cards Of The Year

When shopping for a credit card, factors such as your credit history, family demography, spending habits, travel requirements, and whether or not you are comfortable having multiple cards play an important role in determining the best fit.

With that in mind, we’ve included the best cards for a variety of situations on this list.  You should have no trouble in picking out the right one for your needs.

Best Cashback Card: American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card

Rack up impressive cashback rewards at supermarkets and gas stations or transit like taxis.

Pros

– High cashback rewards in a few categories

– Cashback is automatic

– No enrollment is required

Cons

– 6% cash back at supermarkets is capped at $6,000 in yearly purchases

– 2.7% foreign transaction fee

– High cash advance fee

Best Card Without an Annual Fee: Citi® Double Cash Card

Avail of an unbeatable cashback rate on all purchases and a long-lasting 0% intro APR offer, without annual fees.

Pros

– Simple rewards structure

– Up to 2% cashback on purchases

– No category restrictions

– No cap on cashback earnings

Cons

– High balance transfer fees

– 3% foreign transaction fees

Best Travel Rewards Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy high rewards rates and redemption flexibility on travel and dining at a modest annual fee.

Pros

– 2x points on travel and dining

– Option to transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate

– Numerous travel and shopping protection

Cons

– Annual fee of $95

– No intro APR offer

Best Business Credit Card: American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card

Earn 2X points on purchases up to $50,000 per year without an annual fee.

Pros

– High 2X rewards rate

– Several airline transfer partners

– Option to spend above the credit limit for important purchases

Cons

– 2.7% foreign transaction fee

– Rewards rate drops to 1X after $50,000 in yearly spending

– Points transfers to airline partners are not free

Best Credit Card for Hotels: American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card

A perfect fit for big spenders at Hilton properties. Leverage the rich suite of perks with the complimentary Diamond status.

Pros

– Snag up to $600 in statement credits

– Wide range of points transfer partners

– Instant upgrade to Hilton Diamond status that comes with top-tier benefits

Cons

– High annual fee, no first-year waiver

– No intro APR offer,  high APR

– Reward points have a lower value

Best for Online Shoppers: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Earn a 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% back at gas stations, drugstores, and restaurants, and 1% back on other purchases.

Pros

– The welcome bonus (no spending requirement)

– No foreign transaction fees

– Visa Signature benefits

Cons

– High balance transfer fee

– No intro APR offer

– APR can be high, depending on creditworthiness

Best First Credit Card: Discover it® Student Cashback

An excellent way for students to gain credit managing experience. Get up to 5% cashback rewards in rotating categories and 1% back on other purchases.

Pros

– No annual fee, no penalty APR

– First-year Cashback match

– A “good grades” bonus for up to 5 years – Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and get $20 statement credit (each school year).

Cons

– Bonus cashback rate is capped at $1,500 per quarter in spending

– Bonus categories have to be activated quarterly

– Low base reward rate of 1%