[Last updated: June 27, 2016]
Best for Excellent Credit: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Overview: One of the best travel sign on bonuses of $625 (when redeemed through Chase’s reward system). $0 annual fee for the first year. A cool metal card to carry around. For individuals with excellent credit (750 or above).
Summary: If you have excellent credit and love to travel, this is definitely the best card we have to recommend. First, the card is metal which gives it the exclusive high-end look that will make you feel like you’re a big-shot. Next, is the sign up bonus. If you can spend $4000 in the first three months, you’ll receive 50,000 points worth $625 in the chase rewards system. Charging that much on a new card will take using it for some everyday purchases, but if you pay off that balance you’ll receive no finance charges and get your bonuses for buying things you were already going to need. There is no interest free period, which may be a downer for some. All in all this is a fantastic card for excellent credit.
Read our full Chase Sapphire review here.
Runner Up for Excellent Credit: Discover it® Cashback Match™
Overview: If travel and other perks don’t excite you, this could be your card. Whatever your cash back bonus is at the end of the first year, Discover will match it. For individuals with excellent credit (750 or above).
Summary: It was a close race for our top spot in this category and the Discover it Cashback Match card is just as beneficial as our top choice, just in different ways. The name says it all. For new customers, you can receive a match of the cash back rewards you earn in a years time. Basically, using the card earns you cash back bonuses and Discover will match it for your first year. You’ll also get 0% APR for 12 full months on purchases and balance transfers. No annual fee is another added bonus to this card’s appeal. If travel and other rewards aren’t for you, but you enjoy getting some of your money back (and possibly doubled), give this card a good look.
Read our full Discover It review here.
Best for Good Credit: Chase Freedom®
Overview: Great for daily spending to rack up cash back bonuses to spend on yourself. 5% cash back signup offer. For individuals with good credit (from 700 to 749).
Summary: The Chase Freedom card is intended to be a daily use card for the grocery store, gas purchases, and other expenses that you would like to pay in order to receive cash bonuses. The best part about this card, is the continuous bonus features. You’ll receive an automatic $150 for spending $500 in your first three months, but you can continuously sign up to get 5% cash back on certain purchases each and every quarter. This added benefit can really add up if you use it for life’s most common expenses. There is a 0% introductory interest rate for the first 15 billing cycles which will allow you to rack up points and purchase goods at no interest. All-in-all the best card for individuals with good credit and even a great choice for those with an excellent rating.
Read our full Chase Freedom review here.
Runner Up for Good Credit: Chase Slate®
Overview: This is the card for people looking to rollover balances and improve their overall credit and FICO scores. For individuals with good credit (from 700-749).
Summary: The Chase Slate card doesn’t offer the traditional bonuses you’ll find with many of the other cards on the list. It does offer the ability to transfer your other credit balances free of charge for the first 60 days of your account at 0% interest. No interest for the first 15 billing cycles means that you can make large payments on your previously interest bearing debt and save yourself a significant amount of money. Maybe that’s why they call it the Slate card, because it helps you clean off, start fresh and improve your rating. In fact, as an added financial health bonus, you will receive your FICO score and a credit dashboard that updates monthly included with your account. Get this card if you have good credit and want to see it bump up to excellent after showing your debt payoff skills.
Read our full Chase Slate review here.
Best for Fair Credit: Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard® – Average Credit
Overview: Fair credit can still equal rewards if you use the card correctly. A great option for people who want rewards, but can’t get approved for some of the other cards on the list. For individuals with fair credit (from 650 to 699).
Summary: This is one of the few cards for a fair credit rating we could find that offers a reward system, and it’s not bad at all. You’ll get 2X the points on all gas, grocery and utility services you purchase with your Barclaycard. The card doesn’t count Target or Walmart, so if you’re in a rural area with limited grocery choices that could influence your decision. You do get the standard 1X points on all other purchases. Points can be used for cash deposited into your accounts, statement credits, or gift card purchases starting at 1000 points (which equals $10). There are no limits to the points and there is also no annual fee, a great benefit for fair credit cards. Interest rates are set at 25.24%, which is to be expected. Really one of the best options overall, and the definitive winner for those with a fair credit rating.
Read our full Barclaycard Rewards review here.
Runner Up for Fair Credit: Discover it® for Students
Overview: Intended for students, but all are welcome to apply. If you are in college it’s a great option to rack up bonuses before you graduate. For individuals with fair credit (from 650 to 699).
Summary: If you are a college student that hasn’t had much experience with credit, this could be a great card to establish and improve your score while you learn. If used correctly, you can significantly improve your credit which will help you get started on the right foot when you graduate. A unique benefit here is the 0% introductory APR for six months. Most other fair credit cards won’t offer such flexible starting terms. There are also lower APR rates than other cards in the category and Discover it for Students ranges from 13.24% to 22.24%. Better for establishing credit than helping repair it, but still a solid choice for anyone with the credit score to get approved. There is a bonus system as well to help earn some decent benefits over time.
Read our full Discover it for Students review here.
Best for Poor Credit: Capital One® Secured MasterCard®
Overview: Our first secured credit card option for people who are serious about rebuilding their tarnished credit before it gets worse. For individuals with poor credit (from 600-649).
Summary: Things happen in life that sometimes make a negative impact on your credit score. When it comes time to make a significant purchase, you may not be able to get the amount or interest rate you need. Capital One has a solution in the form of a secured credit MasterCard. With a relatively low barrier to entry and an equally low required deposit, you can have a credit line that ranges from $200 to $3000 based on the terms of your approval. If you only deposit the minimum ($49), you will only receive a $200 limit. The details of your card won’t be known until you are approved, but you will need to put up some of your own cash as collateral to use this option. Perfect for individuals with poor credit that have made a commitment to improve their situation by making consistent payments to their lender.
Read our full Capital One Secured review here.
Runner Up for Poor Credit: Digital Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum Secured
Overview: One of the highest-rated cards by customers for rebuilding and establishing credit. Seems to require an account with the Credit Union. For individuals with poor credit (from 600-649).
Summary: Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) has some impressive rates along with a large number of satisfied credit users with poor credit history. Your initial APR for the secured Visa is only 11.75%, which is lower than some of the good and even excellent credit cards on our list. That said, you will have to borrow against an open savings account with DCU. While most other secure cards require a deposit, this one requires a deposit account. If you are happy with your banking situation, or don’t feel comfortable opening up another savings account this may not be the right card for you. If you do want to take advantage of the friendly staff, low rates, and great opportunity to build your poor credit score this one is definitely worth a good look.
Read our full Digital Federal Union Secured review here.
Best for Bad Credit: Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® Credit Card
Overview: A powerful tool for rebuilding your credit quickly and help with monitoring the entire process. Unsecured, which may be a huge benefit if qualified. For individuals with bad credit (below 599).
Summary: There aren’t a ton of options in the bad credit rating category. We aren’t saying that to judge, but to contrast how good of an opportunity this card presents. Finding an unsecured Visa with a credit rating below 600 is a rare gem. This card will give you a “second chance” to build up your credit (if approved, of course). You’ll be able to tell if you’re approved in less than a minute right online. The issue you may have is the singular application for all of the credit card options. You don’t specifically apply for this card, but for all four cards that Credit One offers at the moment. Details about the cards are slim, too. Interest rates will be a bit higher, but regular payments are noticed. You will get a credit report regularly from all three agencies and Credit One reports to them all, helping you improve your overall score.
Read our full Credit One Bank Unsecured review here.
Runner Up for Bad Credit: First Progress Platinum Elite MasterCard® Secured Credit Card
Overview: This card is made for people who feel like they could never get another credit line to improve their financial circumstances. For individuals with bad credit (below 599).
Summary: While they have a long name, the sign up process and terms are the easiest to understand of any other credit card on this list. Believe it or not, this card provider doesn’t require either a minimum credit score or even a credit history. There is a minimum deposit of at least $200 which may be a bit steep for some, but you can fund it up to $2000. This isn’t a prepaid debit card, if you don’t pay your balance off at the end of the month there will be interest charges. This provider also reports to all three credit agencies. If no one else will approve you, this is the place to try. It’s still not guaranteed, but it’s the lowest barrier to entry we’ve found.
Read our full First Progress Platinum review here.
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