When considering balance transfer credit cards, evaluating several key factors is essential to ensure you make a financially sound decision.
First, look for a card offering a low or 0% introductory APR on balance transfers, as this can significantly reduce the interest you pay on existing debt. Pay attention to the duration of the introductory period, as longer periods provide more time to pay down your balance interest-free.
Additionally, consider any balance transfer fees, which are typically a percentage of the amount transferred and can impact your savings. It’s also important to review the card’s regular APR, which will apply after the introductory period ends, to avoid unexpected costs.
Finally, assess any additional features or rewards the card offers, such as cashback or travel points, which can add value beyond the balance transfer itself. Our true comparisons & industry-standard reviews can help you make the smartest decision.
BEST CARDS 0% INTRO APR TRAVEL CASH BACK REWARDS NO ANNUAL FEE STUDENTBest Balance Transfer Cards of 2026 (Updated April 2026)
Best for: Extra-long 0% intro APR offer on purchases & transfers + low intro fee
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
16.49% – 27.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Liability on unauthorized charges.
- Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers.
- Intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
Card details
CITI® DIAMOND PREFERRED® CARD Fees
- No annual fee.
- Balance Transfer: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, introductory fee for transfers made within 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer.
- Cash Advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Purchase Transaction: 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.
CITI® DIAMOND PREFERRED® CARD Intro & Regular APRs
- Purchases APR: 0% introductory APR for 12 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 16.49% to 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers APR: 0% introductory APR for 21 months from date of account opening when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 16.49% to 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Cash Advances APR: 29.74%; This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Citi Flex Plans APR: 16.49% to 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness. These APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
CITI® DIAMOND PREFERRED® CARD Benefits
- 24/7 Customer Service: Our customer service representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Automatic Account Alerts: Alerts keep you informed and stress-free. Once you’ve set up alerts, we’ll remind you about your balance levels, payments due, or when you go over your credit limit, by email or directly on your mobile phone.
- Digital Wallets: With digital wallets you can speed through checkout and continue to enjoy all the great benefits that come with your card.
- Tap Your Card with Contactless Pay: Shop safely with a contactless-chip enabled card. Just tap your card on the payment reader and go in seconds.
- Help Keep Your Identity Safe: The ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard® helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring the information you choose to protect and alerting you if suspicious activity is found.
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: At Citi, you will not be responsible for a charge that you did not authorize, online or otherwise.
- Citi Entertainment®: Citi Entertainment takes the once out of once in a lifetime. Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year’s most anticipated concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Your FICO credit score will refresh each month, helping you to stay on top of any changes .
- Citi’s Easy Deals are discounts you can earn on everyday purchases from participating retailers and restaurants (including local businesses). Enrollment is required, but if you spend a certain amount per year, you can gain access to even more discounts.
- The Citi Flex Loan program allows you to borrow money against your Citi credit card’s credit line at a fixed interest rate. You can pay the loan back over a set period of time with no additional fees.
- Citi Flex Loans aren’t available to all Citi cardholders; you can check your account to see if you’re eligible.
- Free identity theft protection that the Citi Diamond Preferred card offers through Mastercard.
- Custom pay date: Your own due date grants you the flexibility to shift your payment date to any available due date within the month.
Convenience
Protection
Other Benefits
Smartfinancialways insight
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card focuses primarily on its extended 0% introductory APR for balance transfers, offering considerable flexibility compared to other cards from major issuers. Additionally, it comes with a minimal introductory fee for balance transfers. However, the 0% APR for purchases lasts for a shorter duration than that for transfers, making it a less appealing choice for financing a significant purchase than for reducing current debt.
Pros- No annual fee
- One of the longest Intro APR period on balance transfers
- Intro APR offer on purchases is much shorted considering other balance transfer cards
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee, which becomes a hassle for some people when they use this card abroad
- 5% ($5 min) balance transfer fee is high compared to similar options
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Best for: 21-month long intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
670-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Zero Liability protection. Built-in protection features ensure that you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions.
Card details
Reflect® Card Awards
- Fool Money: 2025 Best 0% Intro APR.
- Compare Credit: 2025 Best Credit Card for Low Interest on Purchases.
- Finance Buzz: 2025 Best overall in the 0% Intro APR category.
Fees
- No annual or hidden fees.
- Balance Transfer fees: 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
- Cash Advances fees: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Currency Conversion/Foreign Transaction: 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.
Reflect® card Intro & regular APRs
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases. After that, your APR will be 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, your APR will be 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, Balance Transfer fee of 5%, with min: $5.
- You cannot transfer a balance from any account issued by Wells Fargo or any of its affiliates.
- The total amount of your balance transfer request(s), including fees, cannot exceed your available credit.
- It can take up to 14 days to post a balance transfer to your Wells Fargo Reflect Credit Card account.
- 29.49% APR for Cash Advances and Overdraft Protection Advances.
- Balance transfers do not earn rewards.
Reflect® card benefits & features
- Cellular Telephone Protection: Up to $600 per year of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Roadside Dispatch®: Available whenever you’re in need of a tow – for eligible Wells Fargo cardholders 24/7 with no membership required. To learn more call 1-800-847-2869.
- My Wells Fargo Deals: Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can have access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants.
- Zero Liability protection: Built-in protection features ensure that you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they’re reported promptly.Roadside Dispatch®: Available whenever you’re in need of a tow – for eligible Wells Fargo cardholders 24/7 with no membership required. To learn more call 1-800-847-2869.
- Credit Close-Up®: With Credit Close-Up® you own the skills to help understand and track your FICO® Score, raise it, or maintain it.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card presents a reliable choice for individuals aiming to reduce debt or finance a significant purchase. This card, which has no annual fee, provides an extended introductory period featuring a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. However, once the introductory 0% APR period concludes, the card does not provide ongoing rewards or additional benefits that could enhance its long-term value.
Pros- No annual fee
- Offers the same length of intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Comes with cell phone protection against damage or theft up to $600
- Roadside Dispatch®: A 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, towing, or locksmith service
- Card’s balance transfer fee is relatively high
- There’s no rewards program, so the card has limited long-term value
- There is a Foreign Currency Conversion fee of 3% for each transaction amount converted to U.S. dollars
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- The Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for: Longest intro APR on purchases & balance transfers + Cashback
Smartfinancialways rating
4.5/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
4%
Cash back on prepaid air, hotel & car reservations booked in Travel Center
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
16.99% – 27.99% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center.
- Reimbursed if your cell phone is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cellular bill with your card.
- Intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Card details
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card Awards
- Forbes Advisor Best of 2025: Best Card For Intro APR And Balance Transfers.
- Forbes Advisor Best of 2025: Best Credit Cards.
- WalletHub Best Visa Card 2025: Best Visa Card.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card Fees
- $0 annual fee.
- Balance Transfer: Either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance ATM: Either 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance: Either 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Cash Equivalent Advance: Either 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Transaction: 3% of each foreign transaction.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card Intro & regular APRs
- Purchases: 0% introductory APR for the first 21 billing cycles. After that, 16.99% to 27.99% based on your creditworthiness when you open your account.
- Balance Transfers: 0% introductory APR for the first 21 billing cycles for balances transferred within 60 days from account opening. After that, 16.99% to 27.99% based on your creditworthiness when you open your account.
- Cash Advances: 30.49%; This APR will vary with the market and is based on the Prime Rate.
- Balance Transfer transactions from other U.S. Bank National Association accounts are not permitted.
- Balance transfers do not earn rewards.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card Rewards
- 4% cash back: Shield Cardmembers will earn 4% cash back for every $1 in eligible Net Purchases spent on prepaid air, car and hotel reservations in the Travel Center using your Shield Card.
- Cash back is redeemed in the form of a statement credit or a deposit made to your U.S. Bank® Savings or Checking Account based on your designation, or as a U.S. Bank Rewards Card.
- Cash Rewards will expire if you do not have any reward, purchase, or balance activity on your account for 12 consecutive statement cycles.
- $20 annual statement credit: Earn a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card benefits
- Cell phone protection: Get up to $600 reimbursed if your cell phone is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cellular bill with your card.
- $0 U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan: Get an opportunity to set up a 3-month $0 ExtendPay Plan offer each calendar year after the new account 0% introductory purchase APR offer has expired.
- Free Credit Score Access: Stay aware of your credit score to help keep your finances safe.
- Flexible redemption: Get your cash back directly deposited into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account, as a statement credit, a rewards card and more.
Smartfinancialways insight
The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card is a no-annual-fee option that is well-suited for making significant purchases or for debt consolidation. It comes with a lengthy introductory 0% APR lasting 21 months for both purchases and balance transfers. Unlike standard financing cards, this card provides 4% rewards on prepaid travel arranged through U.S. Bank, along with an annual statement credit of $20.
If you require an extended period to repay a purchase without interest, the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card stands out as an excellent selection. Its capacity to generate minor rewards along with the annual statement credit enhances its value compared to a standard “zero-rewards” 0% APR card.
Pros- $0 annual fee
- Best-in-class intro-APR of 21 months for both purchases and balance transfers
- Offers the same length extra-long intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Comes with cell phone protection against damage or theft up to $600
- The card earns 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in U.S. Bank’s Rewards Center
- Card’s balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5) is relatively high
- There’s no rewards program, so the card has limited long-term value
- Rewards limited to eligible travel purchases made through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center
- There is a Foreign Currency Conversion fee of 3% for each transaction amount converted to U.S. dollars
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Best for: Long balance transfer offer + no late fees
Smartfinancialways rating
4.5/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Late fee
None
No penalty rate either
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
17.49% – 28.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- No Penalty Rate.
- No Late Fees.
- Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
- Intro APR for 18 months on purchases.
Card details
CITI SIMPLICITY® CARD Fees
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee… Ever.
- Balance Transfer: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, intro fee for transfers made within 4 months of account opening. After that, $5 or 5%.
- Cash Advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Purchase Transaction: 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.
CITI SIMPLICITY® CARD Intro & Regular APRs
- Purchases APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 17.49% to 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months from date of account opening when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 17.49% to 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Cash Advaces APR: 29.74%; This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Citi Flex Plans APR: 17.49% to 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
CITI SIMPLICITY® CARD BENEFITS
- Automatic Account Alerts: Alerts keep you informed and stress-free. Once you’ve set up alerts, we’ll remind you about your balance levels, payments due, or when you go over your credit limit, by email or directly on your mobile phone.
- Tap Your Card with Contactless Pay: Shop safely with a contactless-chip enabled card. Just tap your card on the payment reader and go in seconds.
- Choose your Payment Due Date: Choose to pay your bill on any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Digital Wallets: With digital wallets you can speed through checkout and continue to enjoy all the great benefits that come with your card.
- Help Keep Your Identity Safe:The ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard® helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring the information you choose to protect and alerting you if suspicious activity is found.
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: You’re completely protected against unauthorized charges on your account. At Citi, you will not be responsible for a charge that you did not authorize, online or otherwise.
- 24/7 Customer Service:Questions about your Citi® card account? Just call the number on the back of your credit card. Just say ‘representative’ to access fast, live help from a friendly Customer Service representative ready to help with virtually every aspect of your cardmembership.
Convenience
Protection
Support
Smartfinancialways insight
With three zeros—no annual charge, no penalty interest rate, and no late fees—the Citi Simplicity® Card is a powerful tool. Additionally, it offers a lower-than-average beginning balance transfer charge and an extra-long duration for balance transfers that is comparable to any card available. The card can be a good starting point for anyone to develop good credit habits while reducing their amount because it has no late or penalty fees.
Pros- No annual fee ever
- You won’t have to worry about late fees & penalty APRs with this card (though late payments still affect your credit)
- Intro APR on new purchases
- Intro APR on balance transfers, making it a good choice to pay off your debt
- No new cardholder bonus offer
- No rewards program, so the card holds limited long-term value
- Compared to other balance transfer cards, the intro APR on is slightly shorter than intro APR on transfers
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify for this card
Other smart choices
- The BankAmericard® credit card
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for: High flat-rate cash back + long intro APR on balance transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.8/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
2% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 cash back
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
No Caps & No Category Restrictions
No need to enroll or categories to keep track of
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of your Citi Double Cash® card account opening.
- Unlimited cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Special Travel Offer: Cash back on hotel, car rental & attractions when you booked on Citi Travel ℠portal through 12/31/2025.
- Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Card details
Fees
- Annual fee none.
- Balance Transfer: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Transaction fee: 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.
Intro & Regular APRs
- Purchases: 17.49% to 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfer: 0% introductory APR for 18 months from date of account opening when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 17.49% to 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Cash Advances is 29.74%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Citi Flex Plans is 17.49% to 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Penalty APR and When it Applies: Up to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Cash Back and Rewards
- 2% unlimited cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay.
- Earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel℠.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou® Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou® point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou® point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
- Plus: Earn additional 3 points for every $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit or check. Or explore other ways to redeem points including for gift cards, travel and Shop with Points at Amazon.com.
- No Caps and No Category Enrollment: Citi Double Cash® Credit Card has no categories to enroll in. There are also no caps on the amount of cash back you earn.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
Protection
- 24 Hour Fraud Protection: Citi will alert you if we see unusual activity on your account.
- Help Keep Your Identity Safe: The ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring the information you choose to protect and alerting you if suspicious activity is found.
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: You’re completely protected against unauthorized charges on your account.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Citi Double Cash® Card was among the earliest cards to provide unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and it continues to be popular with a variety of credit card users. This card can be utilized for a range of ‘miscellaneous’ purchases that typically wouldn’t generate significant cash back with other cards. This includes expenses like haircuts, insurance, and car repairs, meaning the rewards can accumulate quickly. However, if you’re in need of a 0% introductory period for a large purchase, this card may not be suitable, as it does not offer an introductory APR for purchases. Nevertheless, it has many advantages worth considering.
Pros- Intro balance transfer fee
- High rewards rate
- Long Intro APR period
- No annual fee ever
- Intro APR offer doesn’t include purchases
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee, which becomes a hassle for some people when they use this card abroad.
Other smart choices
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best for: Best all-in-one cash rewards card
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% – 5% cash back
5% on travel, 3% on dining, & 1.5% on all other
Intro offer
Upto $250 bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 27.74% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Cash back on drugstore purchases.
- Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout.
- Cash back on eligible delivery services.
- Cash back on all other purchases.
Card details
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card Fees
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card.
- Balance Transfers: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transferred made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer.
- Cash Advances: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Transactions: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Intro & Regualar APRs
- Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening; After that, 18.24% to 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
- Balance Transfer: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening; After that, 18.24% to 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
- My Chase Loan APR: 18.24% to 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. These APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Cash Advances: 28.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Cash Back Rewards
- For Limited time: Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases.
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open. And there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
- Shop with points at Amazon: Instantly redeem your Cash Back rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout.
- Gift cards: Redeem for a variety of gift cards and certificates for shopping, dining and entertainment, and more.
- Travel: Book your travel with Chase TravelSM for competitive rates and flexible ways to pay.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Benefits
- Zero Liability Protection: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card.
- Purchase Protection: Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short.
- 24/7 Fraud Monitoring: We help safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring.
- Auto Rental Coverage: Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance: If you run into a problem while traveling away from home, this benefit provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services.
- Redeem for cash back: There is no minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States.
- Shop with points at Amazon: Link your Chase Freedom Unlimited card to your Amazon.com account and instantly redeem your Cash Back rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout, including tax and shipping.
- Gift cards: Redeem for a variety of gift cards and certificates for shopping, dining and entertainment, and more.
- Travel: Book your travel with Chase TravelSM for competitive rates and flexible ways to pay.
- Eligible Chase credit card customers are targeted with cash back offers in the Chase Mobile app or on chase.com.
- DOORDASH: Get 6 months of complimentary access to DashPass– a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar – which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders.
- Lyft: Earn 2% total cash back on Lyft rides with your Freedom Unlimited card through September 30, 2027.
- Apply for a card, use it the same day: Receive instant access to your card by adding it to a digital wallet, like Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay.
- Keep tabs on your credit score for free: Get your credit score, customized score improvement plans provided by Experian™, and identity monitoring – all for free.
- Chase Pay Over Time* lets eligible Chase customers break up credit card purchases into budget friendly payments. There are two potential ways to pay over time:
- After purchase: Pay off an eligible purchase you’ve already made of $100 or more* in smaller, equal monthly payments. No interest – just a fixed monthly fee with plan durations that range from 3-24 months.
- At checkout: Chase credit card members may have the option to create a payment plan at checkout on Amazon.com. Orders totaling $50 or more at amazon.com could be eligible for Chase Pay Over Time.
- Earn upto $500 cash back per year: You can earn $50 cash back for each friend who gets any participating Chase Freedom® credit card.
- Member FDIC
Service & protection
Redeem Cash Back Rewards
Chase Offers
Partner Benefits
Account Management
Chase Pay Over Time
Refer a friend
Smartfinancialways insight
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out as a unique cash back card that not only features appealing bonus categories—specifically restaurants, drugstores, and travel booked via Chase—but also provides over 1% cash back on purchases made outside these areas. Additionally, its bonus offer and introductory APR period enhance its attractiveness for larger purchases. If the bonus categories align with your spending habits, it serves as an excellent card for everyday use.
Pros- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- High rewards rate
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
- It could offer much better long-term value than the typical no-annual fee rewards card, especially for frequent travelers
- No annual fee ever
- Most of the times requires excellent to good credit
- A few other cards offer a higher flat cash back rate (2 percent on all purchases), so they could prove more beneficial if you don’t spend much on travel or dining
Other choices
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Capitol One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Simple cash back rewards + intro APR period offer
Smartfinancialways rating
4.6/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% – 2%*
* 2% Cashback for 1st year
Intro offer
$200
*after spending $1,000 in first 90 days
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months*
*Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases for the first year.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases after first year.
- Intro APR for 15 months for purchases made in the first 60 days.
- Intro APR for 15 months for balance transfers made in the first 60 days.
- Cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Card details
Fees
- $0 annual fee.
- Foreign transaction fee is 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction made in a foreign currency. This fee will be in addition to any other applicable fee.
- 3% Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 5%.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases made in the first 60 days. After that, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% – 27.49% will apply.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After that, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% – 27.49% will apply.
- APR for Cash Advances: 20.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness, when you open your account, for Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances.
- Penalty APR and When it Applies: Up to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Cash back & rewards
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases for the first year from account opening.
- After 1st year earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Redeem your cash rewards for any amount, anytime for statement credits to your credit card, deposits made directly into a Bank of America® checking or savings account, or to pay for purchases when you shop at Amazon.com or check out with PayPal.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a no-annual-fee, straightforward card that provides 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus by spending $1,000 within the first 90 days. Additionally, it offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles applicable to both purchases and balance transfers, along with increased rewards for Preferred Rewards members.
Pros- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5 percent cash back back on all purchases
- 0% Intro APR period on purchases & balance transfers
- Redeem your cash rewards for any amount, anytime for direct deposit or purchases at Amazon.com or at checkout with PayPal
- No bonus categories just flat-rate cash back
- You’ll need to maintain relatively high balances across your Bank of America accounts to qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program (at least $20,000 minimum)
- It charges a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee, which will be disappointing to people who enjoy traveling abroad
- Best rewards limited to certain customers
- Requires good/excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- The Capitol One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Simple cash back rewards + intro APR period offer
Smartfinancialways rating
4.6/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% – 5%
*1.5% on everyday purchases, 5% on hotels, vacation rentals
Intro offer
$200 cash bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months*
*Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Annual fee plus no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States.
- Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.
- Cash back on every purchase, every day.
- Cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases.
- Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers.
Card details
Fees
- $0 annual fee, and $0 foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: You won’t pay a transaction fee when making purchases outside of the United States.
Intro & Regualr APRs
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that; Balance transfer fee applies.
- 29.24% is APR for cash advances. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Cash back & rewards
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every day, and rewards don’t expire for the life of the account.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capitol One Travel.
- No rotating categories to keep track of or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards.
- Redeem your rewards with PayPal: Use your Capitol One rewards to make purchases at millions of online stores when you check out with PayPal.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com: Now you can pay for millions of items using your rewards.
- Get cardholder-only access to a collection of VIP packages, events, on-site perks and more.
- Use your rewards, your card or a combination of both to get tickets to thousands of events.
- Enjoy booking made easy. Pick your event, choose your seats and buy tickets online, in just a few taps.
Protection
- Security Alerts: Get notified via text, email, and phone if Capital One notices potential suspicious transactions on your account.
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno: Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card number to yourself.
- $0 Fraud Liability:If your card is lost or stolen, you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Card Lock: Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost, or stolen.
- Account Alerts from Eno: Receive an alert if Capital One detects a potential mistake or unexpected charge like a potential duplicate purchase or a sudden recurring bill increase.
- CreditWise from Capital One: Get alerts when your TransUnion® or Experian® credit report changes.
- Emergency Card Replacement: If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement card.
Card Management
- See Recurring Merchants: See recurring merchants and other frequently used merchants where your card is stored online.
- Balance Transfer: Transfer your higher-rate balances onto a Capital One card.
- Authorized User: Add an authorized user to your account and track spending by user.
- 24/7 Customer Service: Helpful customer service representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day.
- Autopay: Set up Autopay for your account and your payments will be made automatically every month.
- Chat with Eno: Text Eno, the Capital One Assistant, to manage your account on the go. Check your card balance or pay a bill with just a text.
- Capital One Mobile App: Manage your account anywhere, anytime. Pay your bill, view your balance and transactions—even stay on top of your credit for free with CreditWise.
Smartfinancialways insight
Not many cards provide as attractive a mix of cash-back rate, welcome bonus, introductory 0% APR offer, and redemption options as the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. The initial 1.5% cash-back card continues to perform well, despite facing competition from many rivals. Additionally, it has introduced bonus cash back for specific travel purchases. While there are cards that offer a higher ongoing cash-back rate, they may lack some of the additional perks that this card offers.
Pros- No annual fee
- Good option to take with you when travelling internationally, as it has No foreign transaction fees
- Medium to high rewards rate
- $0 intro APR period on both purchases & balance transfers
- No rotating categories to keep track of or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards
- Rewards are unlimited, also allows you to redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time
- No bonus categories
- Flat cash back rate is lower than the flat rates issuers offer on other rewards cards
- Better suited for hotel, rental car reservations, & online shopping not good choice for dining, gas & groceries
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best for: Everyday shopping + quarterly rotating bonus categories
Smartfinancialways rating
4.4/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
5% cashback on everyday purchases, plus 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back = $1 to Redeem:Earn cash back you can spend with Discover. One dollar earned is worth one dollar you can spend.
- Cash back on everyday purchases when you shop each quarter–like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more–up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Fraud Liability Guarantee: You’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.
Card details
Fees
- No annual fee. Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.
- No Foreign transaction fee.
- Late payment fee: No fee for first late payment, then up to $41.
- Cash advance fee: 5 percent of the amount of each transaction (minimum $10).
- Penalty APR: none.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% APR offer: 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 15 months. 17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR afterwards.
- 0% APR offer: 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months. 17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR afterwards.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
- Cash advance APR: 28.49% Variable APR.
Cash back & rewards
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year!
- Earn 5% Cash Back: 0% APR offer: On everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter – like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more – up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- You’ll still earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- $1 Cash Back = $1 to Redeem:Earn cash back you can spend with Discover. One dollar earned is worth one dollar you can spend.
- There’s no limit to how much we’ll match. Your cash back won’t expire for the life of the account.
- You don’t have to sign up, just use your Discover card for purchases to earn cash back. We’ll automatically match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
- Double Up on Cash Back: We’ll automatically double all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards limits. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Discover it® Cash Back offer provides substantial rewards in popular spending categories that rotate every few months, along with a bonus that increases in value with more frequent use of the card during the first year. It functions effectively either as a primary card for daily use or as part of a combination of cards. While you will need to take some time a few times annually to activate the bonus categories, doing so is as easy as setting a reminder in your calendar.
Pros- Cash rewards
- Good Intro APR period
- No annual fee ever
- Discover matches the cash back you earn at the end of the first year
- Very few fees, a chance at a low APR and a more forgiving late payment policy than most rivals
- Lower acceptance when you travel overseas
- Complicated rewards program to follow along
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
- You’ll only earn a top rewards rate on your first $1,500 in spending each quarter, so it’s not ideal for large purchases or big spenders
Other smart choices
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Everyday shopping + cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Smartfinancialways rating
4.7/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 27.74% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 %).
- Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Cash back on dining, including takeout and delivery services.
- Cash back on drugstore purchases.
- Cash back on all other purchases..
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Card details
Fees
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card.
- Foreign Transaction fee is 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
- Balance Transfers: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advances: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Intro & regular APRs
- Purchases APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 18.24%-27.74%.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 18.24%-27.74%.
- Cash Advance APR: 28.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Penalty APR and When It Applies: Up to 29.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Cash back & rewards
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem Cash back rewards
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Shopping at Amazon.com: Link your Chase Freedom Flex® card to your Amazon.com account and instantly redeem your Cash Back rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout.
- Gift cards: Redeem for a variety of gift cards and certificates for shopping, dining and entertainment, and more.
- Travel: Book your travel with Chase TravelSM for competitive rates and flexible ways to pay.
Perks & offers
- DOORDASH: Get 6 months of complimentary access to DashPass– a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar – which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders.
- Lyft: Earn 2% total cash back on Lyft rides with your Freedom Flex card through September 30, 2027. That’s 1% cash back in addition to the 1% cash back you already earn.
Service & Protection
- $0 Liability Protection: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card
- Purchase Protection: Covers your eligible new purchases for 90-120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Cell Phone Protection: Get up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per 12-month period in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage.
- Auto Rental Coverage: Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance: If you run into a problem while traveling away from home, this benefit provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services.
- 24/7 Fraud Monitoring: We help safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring. We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card.
Chase Pay Over Time®
- Chase Pay Over Time* (formerly My Chase Plan®) lets eligible Chase customers break up credit card purchases into budget friendly payments.
- Pay off an eligible purchase you’ve already made of $100 or more* in smaller, equal monthly payments. No interest – just a fixed monthly fee† with plan durations that range from 3-24 months.
- Start a plan by selecting an eligible purchase with the “Pay Over Time” option next to the transaction amount in your credit card account activity.
- Member FDIC.
Smartfinancialways insight
Certain rewards credit cards feature bonus categories that remain constant, while others have categories that frequently update. The Chase Freedom Flex® incorporates both types. This provides numerous chances to earn additional cash back, yet it also requires some effort on your part. If you’re comfortable monitoring which categories yield 3% and 5% bonuses or activating the quarterly categories online (tip: consider setting a reminder on your phone), it’s an excellent card.
Pros- Offer flat-rate cash back
- Offer rotating bonus categories
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Intro APR period on purchases & balance transfers
- No annual fee ever
- It gives excellent travel protections and partner benefits for a no-annual-fee card
- You’ll need to pair it with a higher-tier Chase card to get top redemption value for travel purchases
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
- You’ll only earn a top rewards rate on your first $1,500 in spending each quarter, so it’s not ideal for large purchases or big spenders
- Quarterly categories may not be the best fit for you if you have consistent spending habits, making earning rewards more complicated
Other smart choices
- The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- The Discover It® Cash Back Card
Best for: Cash back in quarterly bonus categories + intro APR period
Smartfinancialways rating
4.1/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 6%*
*6% cash back for 1st year, 2% at grocery stores, 1% on all others
Intro offer
$200
*after spending $1,000 in first 90 days
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months*
*Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
- Cash back for the first year in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Cash back in the category of your choice after the first year (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Cash back on all other purchases.
- Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases.
- Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for balance transfers made within first 60 days.
Card details
Bank of America® Customized Cash Fees
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Balance Transfer: Intro fee is 3% of the amount of each transaction, made within 60 days, after that, 5% of the amount of each transaction.
- Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances: 5% of the amount of each transaction.
- Foreign Transaction: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction made in a foreign currency. This fee will be in addition to any other applicable fee.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Intro & Regular APRs
- Purchases APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles. After the Intro ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% – 27.49% will apply.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% – 27.49% will apply.
- Cash Advances APR: 20.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness, when you open your account, for Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances, and 29.24% for Bank Cash Advances.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards
- $200 online cash rewards bonus offer: Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 6% cash back: Earn 3% cash back + 3% total of 6% cash back in first-year in the category of your choice.
- Choose which category you want to earn 6% cash back in – for the first year (a list of six): (1) Gas and EV charging stations; (2) online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; (3) dining; (4) travel; (5) drug stores and pharmacies; or (6) home improvement and furnishings.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter.
- After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- There’s no annual fee and your cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Redeem your cash rewards for any amount, anytime for statement credits, deposits made directly into a Bank of America® checking or savings account, or for credit to an eligible account with Merrill, or to pay for eligible purchases when you shop at Amazon.com or check out with PayPal.
- Redemptions for a contribution to a qualifying 529 account with Merrill or for a check start at $25.
- You may set up automatic redemptions into an eligible Bank of America® or Merrill® account. Automatic redemptions start at $25.
Earn
Redeem
Bank of America® Customized Cash Security & Features
- Stay Protected: We block potential fraud if abnormal patterns are detected and let you know if we suspect fraudulent activity. Plus, you always get a $0 Liability Guarantee for fraudulent transactions.
- $0 Liability Guarantee. The $0 Liability Guarantee covers unauthorized transactions made using your credit card account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use.
- Balance Connect® for overdraft protection: An optional service to help prevent declined purchases, returned checks or other overdrafts when you link your eligible Bank of America® checking account to your credit card. No transfer fees. Other fees may apply.
- Paperless Statement Option: Opt for paperless credit card statements and increase account security while reducing paper consumption.
- Digital Wallet Technology: Discover more ways to pay by adding your Bank of America® credit card to your mobile device then shop in-store or in-app using Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay.
- Online & Mobile Banking: Access to our award-winning Online and Mobile Banking. Bank on the go from almost anywhere quickly and securely.
- Account Alerts: Stay on top of your balances and due dates. Choose from several types of customer email or text alerts and let your phone tell you when payments are due and paid.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card provides personalized rewards without an annual fee, featuring a $200 cash bonus available online after spending $1,000 within the initial 90 days. Cardholders can earn 3% cash back, accumulating to a total of 6% cash back in the first year within a selected category. Users receive 6% cash back in their chosen category (up to a quarterly limit of $2,500), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other transactions. Following the conclusion of the 3% introductory bonus for the first year, cash back on these purchases will revert to 3% and 2% up to the specified quarterly cap. Cardholders need to select and update their category every month; otherwise, it will remain unchanged. Additionally, the spending limit on bonus rewards may not be ideal for high spenders.
Pros- New cardholder bonus offer
- The card offers reward categories that are both useful and broad
- Rotating bonus categories
- No annual fee ever
- Relationship rewards for customers
- Intro APR period for purchases & balance transfers
- Complicated rewards
- Spending caps on bonus rewards not a good choice for big spenders
- You have to choose and change category each month otherwise will remain same
- Best rewards limited to certain customers
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
- Foreign transaction fee is 3% for each transaction amount converted to U.S. dollar
Other smart choices
- The Discover it® Cash Back
- The Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
Best for: Everyday use + no annual fee + intro APR period
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200*
After $2,000 in purchases in 1st 6 months
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back on U.S. Online Retail Purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back on other eligible purchases.
- Earn back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Card details
Fees
- No annual fee.
- Balance Transfer fee:Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Late payment & Returned Payment fee: Up to $40.
- Foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.
- APR for cash advances is 28.74%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Penalty APR and When it Applies is 29.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Cash Back & rewards
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 1% Cash Back on other eligible purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Earn More Cash Back: You can earn cash back every time an Additional Card Member makes an eligible purchase with their Card in the same way you do on your own purchase.
Featured Benefits
- $84 Disney Streaming Credit: Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription1 purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites.
- Cash Back at Amazon.com checkout: Shop now and conveniently use cash back2 at checkout at Amazon.com.
- Send & Split®: You can send money and split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Terms apply.
- Amex™ Special Ticket Access: Card Members have access to purchase tickets through Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® to select can’t-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more.
- Earn More with Amex Offers: Card Members can explore the Amex Offers available to add to their eligible Card and earn extra rewards on qualifying purchases made at select brands.
- $180 Home Chef Credit: Basic Blue Cash Everyday® Card Members can receive up to $15 in monthly statement credits when a Card on the Card Account is used to purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription online.
Travel benefits
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline‡ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance.
Protection coverage
- Purchase Protection: When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection♦ can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged.
- The purchase protection coverage is limited up to $1,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Additional Services
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once.
- Using Plan It, simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express App‡ to see your plan options.
- You can add an Additional Card for anyone who makes purchases for you, like your child (13+), spouse, or employee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent option for families who frequently spend on groceries, gas, and online shopping, particularly because it doesn’t have an annual fee. It provides 3% cash back in the category of “U.S. online retail purchases,” applicable to nearly every type of transaction, with a limit of $6,000 in spending annually (after which the rate drops to 1%). Its attractive bonus offer and introductory APR period are especially beneficial for making significant online purchases right after approval, but it functions effectively as an everyday card, as suggested by its name.
Pros- Earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- Other purchases earn 1% cash back
- Good to have a 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
- Solid bonus offer for new cardholders
- A spending cap per calendar year on your highest earning categories may limit your cash back potential
- If you spend at least $61 per week at the supermarket, you may be better off paying the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because of its higher rewards rate
- This card also lacks the bonus streaming and transit rewards of the “Preferred” version
Other smart choices
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Travel rewards for beginners
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.25 Miles – 5 Miles
Intro offer
Earn 20,000 miles
After you spend $500 in purchases in first 3 months
Recommended credit score
670-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase.
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Card details
Fees
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Transfer fee: Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months, afterwards it is 4%.
- Cash Advance fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Intro & regular APRs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fees applies.
VentureOne rewards
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
- Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn.
- Earn unlimited 1.25x miles on every purchase, every day.
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
VentureOne Benefits
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel.
- Book with confidence: Save an average of 15% on flights using price prediction from Capitol One Travel.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com: Now you can pay for millions of items using your rewards.
- Redeem Your Rewards with PayPal: Use your Capital One rewards on eligible purchases at millions of online stores.
- Get Hertz Five Star® Status: Get a free status upgrade, skip the counter at select locations and choose from a wider selection of rental cars.
VentureOne Access
- Capital One Dining: Make your next meal even more memorable with access to customer-only reservations at award-winning restaurants and tickets to curated culinary events.
- Capital One Entertainment: Enjoy 5x miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases and access can’t-miss events across music, sports and dining with exclusive pre-sales, tickets, suite experiences and more.
VentureOne Protection
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno: Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card number to yourself.
- Account Alerts from Eno: Receive an alert if Capital One detects a potential mistake or unexpected charge like a potential duplicate purchase or a sudden recurring bill increase.
- $0 Fraud Liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Security Alerts: Get notified via text, email, and phone if Capital One notices potential suspicious transactions on your account.
- Card Lock: Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost, or stolen.
- Emergency Card Replacement: If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement card.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for those new to travel rewards, featuring an attractive bonus for new cardholders and straightforward rewards on all purchases, with no annual fee. Additionally, it includes a 0% introductory rate on balance transfers.
Pros- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus could be one of the most valuable upfront offers
- Unlike many travel rewards cards, it comes with solid intro APR offers
- No annual fee ever
- Flexible rewards redemption
- 1.25x-mile flat rate is lower than other starter travel cards’ flat rates, even those with no annual fees
- Travel incentives aren’t very noteworthy when compared to other travel rewards cards
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred card®
- The Capital One Quicksilver card®
Best for: Entertainment and dining + balance transfer
Smartfinancialways rating
5.0/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 8%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 Cash back
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months*
*Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Cash back on dining.
- Cash back on entertainment.
- Cash back on popular streaming services.
- Cash back on select grocery stores.
- Cash back on all other purchases.
Card details
Fees
- No annual fee.
- Balance Transfer: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the each transferred balance that posts to your account.
- Cash Advance: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies.
Savor Rewards from Capital One
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms & conditions apply.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards.
- Cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Savor from Capitol One Features
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: You won’t pay a transaction fee when making a purchase outside of the United States.
- Travel Accident Insurance: Get automatic insurance for a covered loss at no extra charge when you use your credit card to purchase your fare.
- 24-hour Travel Assistance Services: If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement card and a cash advance.
- Capital One Travel:Get our best prices on thousands of trip options—even after you book. Plus, pay flexibly with your rewards, a card or both.
- Get Hertz Five Star® Status: Get a free status upgrade, skip the counter at select locations and choose from a wider selection of rental cars.
- Extended Warranty: You’ll get additional warranty protection at no charge on eligible items that are purchased with your credit card.
- Complimentary Concierge Service: Enjoy comprehensive, personalized assistance in dining, entertainment and travel—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Instant Purchase Notifications: Stay on top of your spending by receiving a push notification each time a new purchase is approved on your account.
- Capital One Shopping: Capital One Shopping is an online shopping tool that automatically applies available coupon codes to your order.
- Redeem Your Rewards with PayPal: Use your Capital One rewards on eligible purchases at millions of online stores.
- Shop With Your Rewards: Now you can pay for Amazon.com purchases using your Capital One rewards.
- 50% off Handcrafted Beverages: Capital One cardholders enjoy 50% off all handcrafted beverages everyday at any Capital One Café nationwide.
- Capital One Dining: Make your next meal even more memorable with access to customer-only reservations at award-winning restaurants and tickets to curated culinary events.
- Capital One Entertainment: Enjoy access to can’t-miss events while earning 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases with your Savor Card.
- Security Alerts: Get notified via text, email, and phone if Capital One notices potential suspicious transactions on your account.
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno: Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card number to yourself.
- Account Alerts from Eno: Receive an alert if Capital One detects a potential mistake or unexpected charge like a potential duplicate purchase or a sudden recurring bill increase.
- $0 Fraud Liability:If your card is lost or stolen, you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Card Lock: Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost, or stolen.
- CreditWise from Capital One: Get alerts when your TransUnion® or Experian® credit report changes.
- Emergency Card Replacement: If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement card.
- See Recurring Merchants: See recurring merchants and other frequently used merchants where your card is stored online.
- Balance Transfer: Transfer your higher-rate balances onto a Capital One card.
- Authorized User: Add an authorized user to your account and track spending by user.
- 24/7 Customer Service: Helpful customer service representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day.
- Autopay: Set up Autopay for your account and your payments will be made automatically every month.
- Chat with Eno: Text Eno, the Capital One Assistant, to manage your account on the go. Check your card balance or pay a bill with just a text.
- Capital One Mobile App: Manage your account anywhere, anytime. Pay your bill, view your balance and transactions—even stay on top of your credit for free with CreditWise.
Travel
Shopping
Access
Protection
Card Management
Smartfinancialways insight
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card presents a compelling and rare mix: substantial cash-back rewards at both restaurants and grocery stores, along with various entertainment expenses. This card is perfect for enjoying dinner and a movie, whether you prefer dining out at a restaurant and catching a film or preparing a meal at home while streaming on Netflix. Like any card featuring bonus categories, its benefits are closely linked to your spending within those categories.
Pros- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Some of the best spending category coverage and unlimited rewards potential available on one card
- Redeem your rewards with Paypal when you make purchases online
- Use your rewards, pay for millions of items at Amazon.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno
- This card is missing a handful of rewards categories e.g gas, general travel & transit
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
Best for: High flate-rate cash back
Smartfinancialways rating
4.3/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
2%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards
When you spend $500 in purchases in first 3 months
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
Regular APR
18.49% – 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track or quarterly activations.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Intro APR for 12 months: On purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Cell phone protection against damage or theft.
Card details
Fees
- $0 annual fee.
- Balance Transfers fees: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
- Cash Advances fees: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Transaction fees: 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.
- 29.49% APR for Cash Advances and Overdraft Protection Advances.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate.
- A balance transfer request must be made within 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory APR. Balance Transfers are subject to eligibility.
- You cannot transfer a balance from any account issued by Wells Fargo or any of its affiliates.
- The total amount of your balance transfer request(s), including fees, cannot exceed your available credit.
Cash rewards
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Ways to redeem your cash rewards
- Pay with Rewards: Check out with PayPal, and use your cash rewards for all or part of your eligible purchases.
- Redeem for Purchases: Redeem your points toward the cost of a past, eligible purchase.
- Gift Cards: Redeem cash rewards for gift cards from over 250 merchants, including e-Gift cards as low as $10.
- Redeem to Account: Redeem cash rewards as a credit to your account, including eligible Wells Fargo credit card or checking.
- Explore Travel: Use your rewards for flights, car rentals, and hotel stays for your next vacation.
Exceptional Visa Signature® privileges
- Concierge Services: Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Luxury Hotel Collection: Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious properties.
Active Cash benefits & features
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Pay for rental cars using an eligible card and get reimbursed for covered damage or theft.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Available for covered Wells Fargo cardholders. Count on emergency assistance while traveling anywhere in the world. To learn more, call 1-800-992-6029.
- Emergency Cash Disbursement and Card Replacement: Visa credit cardholders can get an emergency cash advance disbursed or a card replaced within one to three business days after issuer approval.
- My Wells Fargo Deals: Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants and earn cash back at the same time when you shop.
- Roadside Dispatch®: Available whenever you’re in need of a tow – for eligible Wells Fargo cardholders 24/7 with no membership required. To learn more call 1-800-847-2869.
- Zero Liability Protection: Built-in protection features ensure that you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they’re reported promptly.
- Credit Close-Up®: With Credit Close-Up®service mark you own the skills to help understand and track your FICO® Score, raise it, or maintain it.
Smartfinancialways insight
If you want a single cash back card for all your purchases — or a card to complement others in a multi-card strategy — the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid choice. You receive 2% cash back on every transaction, which is excellent for unlimited flat-rate cash back, in addition to a bonus offer and an introductory APR promotion.
Pros- No annual fee
- Paying your cellphone bill each month with this card gets you cellphone protection against damage or theft (limit of two up to $600 claims per year, subject to a $25 deductible)
- 2% cash rewards cards doesn’t weigh down your rewards with spending caps or minimum redemption requirements
- No categories to track or quaterly activations
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Roadside Dispatch® available whenever you’re in need of a tow – for eligible Wells Fargo cardholders
- Your reward redemption options are limited to cash rewards; you can’t transfer rewards to travel partners
- It charges a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee, which will be disappointing to people who enjoy traveling abroad
- No bonus categories
Other smart choices
- The Citi® Double Cash Card
- The Discover It® Cash Back Card
Best for: Everyday use of households and families
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0 intro for 1st year, then $95
Rewards rate
1% – 6%
Cashback
Intro offer
Earn $250*
*After $3,000 in purchases in 1st 6 months
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- Cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Card details
Fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Balance Transfer fee:Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Late payment & Returned Payment fee: Up to $40.
- Foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Intro & Regular APRs
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 19.49% to 28.49%.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 19.49% to 28.49%.
- APR for cash advances is 28.74%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Cash Back & rewards
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Earn More Cash Back: You can earn cash back every time an Additional Card Member makes an eligible purchase with their Card in the same way you do on your own purchase.
Featured Benefits
- $120 Disney Streaming Credit: Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit, up to $120 annual value, after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription1 purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites.
- Cash Back at Amazon.com checkout: Shop now and conveniently use cash back2 at checkout at Amazon.com.
- Send & Split®: You can send money and split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Terms apply.
- Events with Amex™: Card Members enjoy special ticket access and presales to select can’t miss moments and events across sports, music, theatre, and more.
- Earn More with Amex Offers: Card Members can explore the Amex Offers available to add to their eligible Card and earn extra rewards on qualifying purchases made at select brands.
Travel benefits
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline‡ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance.
Protection coverage
- Purchase Protection: When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection♦ can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged.
- With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Extended Warranty: Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less.
- The purchase protection coverage is limited up to $1,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account.
Additional Services
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once.
- Using Plan It, simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express App‡ to see your plan options.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express provides exceptional rewards, offering as much as 6% cash back on common spending categories, making it an excellent option for families who spend heavily on groceries, fuel, public transportation, and streaming services. While it is uncommon for a cash back card to impose an annual fee, the rewards are substantial enough to quickly offset this cost. Additionally, the bonus offer can be considerably more advantageous than the rewards found on cards that do not require an annual fee.
Pros- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, parking, tolls, trains and buses)
- Other purchases earn 1% cash back
- Good to have a 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
- Solid bonus offer for new cardholders
- Great benefits, including purchase protection, return protection and an extended warranty
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 every year
- Annual fee seems steep for cash back credit card, but you will make up for it with rewards by just spending $32 per week at U.S. supermarkets
- Purchases at wholesale clubs, superstores (like Walmart), and specialty stores (bakeries, farmers markets, etc.) are excluded from the card’s U.S. supermarket
Other smart choices
- The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Students
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
5% cash back on places you shop, 1% on all other
Intro offer
Unlimited cashback Match
Recommended credit score
No credit score required to apply
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
Balance transfer intro APR
10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months
Regular APR
16.49% – 25.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at grocery stores up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at restaurants up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. Designed just for students.
Card details
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Fees
- Annual Fee: None.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Balance Transfer: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer that post to your account by July 10, 2026 with the 10.99% intro APR balance transfer offer. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
- Cash Advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card APRs
- Purchases: 0% intro APR† for 6 months. Then 16.49% to 25.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- Balance Transfers: 10.99% intro APR for 6 months from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by July 10, 2026. After that, your APR will be 16.49% to 25.49% based on your creditworthiness.
- Cash Advances: 28.49%; This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Benefits
- 5% Cash Back: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- 1% Cash Back: Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Unlimited Cash back Match: Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. So you could turn $50 cash back to $100. Or you could turn $100 cash back to $200.
- Rewards never expire. Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build your credit if used responsibly.
- $0 Fraud Liability: An “unauthorized purchase” is a purchase where you have not given access to your card information to another person or a merchant for one-time or repeated charges.
- Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 5%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion.
Smartfinancialways insight
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card offers attractive introductory incentives and enhanced rewards in seasonal bonus categories, but monitoring those categories can be somewhat demanding.
Pros- No annual fee ever
- No foreign transaction fee
- No penalty APR and even waive your first late payment
- Intro APR offer is a rare but potentially helpful perk for newly independent cardholders
- No credit score is required to apply
- One of the most lucrative rewards credit cards available to students
- Rotating bonus rewards program might be too high-maintenance for credit card newbies
- Lower acceptance when you travel overseas
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
Other smart choices
- The Capital One SavorOne® Student Cash Rewards card
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student® Cash Rewards Card
- The Discover it Student Chrome® Card