A mediocre airline rewards card (1.25 miles per dollar), with a 20K miles early spend bonus and no annual fee.
$406/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 20,000 Bonus Miles: One-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.25 miles for every dollar you spend on purchases.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- The miles earn rate is pretty mediocre.
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- 20,000 Bonus Miles: One-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.25 miles per dollar for all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases: 15.49-25.49% (0% for the first year).
- APR for balance transfers: 15.49-25.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,031
A decent credit card offering cash back on dining and entertainment, a $200 early spend bonus, and no annual fee.
$395/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If most of your purchases will be on things outside of the 3% cash back categories, then the 1% cash back rate isn't as good as cards that offer 1.5% cash back on all spending.
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Capital One Savor Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases: 15.49-25.49% (0% for the first 15 months).
- APR for balance transfers: 15.49-25.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,977
A great no annual fee card if you're an Amazon Prime member (5% at amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, as well as a $70 signup bonus).
$394/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $50 off instantly upon approval.
- If you're an Amazon Prime member: An additional $20 ($70 instead of $50) will be instantly loaded onto your Amazon.com Gift Card upon the approval of your credit card application.
- 3% cash back at amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
- If you're an Amazon Prime member: Earn an additional 2% cash back (in other words, 5% cash back instead of 3% cash back) at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Good APR.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- You need to be an Amazon Prime member to earn the 5% cash back rate at amazon.com and Whole Foods. (Otherwise, you'll only earn 3% on those types of spending.)
Rewards & Perks
- $50 off instantly upon approval.
- If you're an Amazon Prime member: An additional $20 ($70 instead of $50) will be instantly loaded onto your Amazon.com Gift Card upon the approval of your credit card application.
- 3% cash back at amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
- If you're an Amazon Prime member: Earn an additional 2% cash back (in other words, 5% cash back instead of 3% cash back) at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection privileges: Enjoy a premium set of benefits when you use your Premium Rewards card to book through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.
- Personal concierge service (via Visa Signature Concierge): Visa Signature concierge service gives you access to concierges who can help with travel planning, restaurant recommendations, and event reservations.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 14.24-22.24%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,970
A good cash back card or dining, entertainment, and grocery spending (4% on dining, entertainment, and streaming services, 3% on groceries, 1% elsewhere), with a $300 early spend bonus, but a $95 annual fee.
$370/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $300 Cash Bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $300 once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats using your Savor card.
- 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- 3% cash back on groceries.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Not a great cash back rate for categories outside of dining, entertainment/streaming, and groceries.
- $95 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- $300 Cash Bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $300 once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats using your Savor card.
- 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- 2% cash back on groceries.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- $95 annual fee.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.99-24.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,848
A good card for frequent Delta flyers, with a welcome bonus (after spending $2K within 3 months) of 50K miles plus 5K MQMs (Medallion® Qualification Miles) and an ongoing 3x miles on Delta and hotels, but a $250 annual fee.
$365/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- A welcome bonus (after spending $2K within 3 months) of 50K miles plus 5K MQMs (Medallion® Qualification Miles). (Offer expires 11/10/2021.)
- 3x miles on Delta purchases (Delta flights and Delta Vacations) and hotel purchases. 2x miles at restaurants and supermarkets. 1x miles on everything else.
- Other travel benefits such as first checked bag free, priority boarding, and an annual companion certificate.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Annual fee: $250.
Rewards & Perks
- A welcome bonus (after spending $2K within 3 months) of 50K miles plus 5K MQMs (Medallion® Qualification Miles). (Offer expires 11/10/2021.)
- 3x miles on Delta purchases (Delta flights and Delta Vacations) and hotel purchases. 2x miles at restaurants and supermarkets. 1x miles on everything else.
- Status Boost: Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times. (Note: MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.)
- Additional MQMs: Earn an additional 2,500 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) each time you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Platinum Card (up to 2 times).
- Free checked bag: First checked bag is free.
- Annual companion airplane ticket: One round-trip airplane ticket per year for a travelling companion.
- $39 Delta Sky Club Access: Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Priority boarding: Priority boarding allows you to board the plane sooner, stow your bag and settle in your seat before takeoff.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $250.
- APR on purchases: 15.74-24.74%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,826
A good card for Southwest frequent flyers (2x on SWA purchases, 40K points signup bonus), but has a $69 annual fee.
$365/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- For the first year: 3x points on dining purchases at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services).
- 2x points on Southwest purchases.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- Receive 3,000 bonus points each year (on your card member anniversary date).
- $0 1st & 2nd checked bags.
Cons
- $69 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- For the first year: 3x points on dining purchases at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services).
- 2x points on Southwest purchases.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- 3,000 bonus points each year (on your card member anniversary date).
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $69.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.99-22.99%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,827
A mediocre card for frequent United Airlines flyers, offering 2x miles on spending at United Airlines, gas stations, and public transit, as well as a 30K miles signup bonus and no annual fee.
$348/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 2x miles on spending at United Airlines, gas stations, and public transit.
- For the first year: 3x miles on spending at grocery stores (on up to $15,000 in grocery spending).
- 15,000 miles signup bonus (after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months).
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are other United credit cards that offer higher miles earn rates and better signup bonuses, such as the Chase United Explorer card and the Chase United Club Infinite card.
Rewards & Perks
- For the first year: 3x miles on spending at grocery stores (on up to $15,000 in grocery spending).
- 2x miles on spending at United Airlines, gas stations, and public transit/commuting.
- 1 mile per dollar for all other purchases.
- 15,000 miles signup bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 16.49-23.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,740
A good no annual fee card, with a $150 signup bonus and 2-5% cash back on certain specific categories (1% on everything else).
$346/yr
total value to you
Issuer
US Bank
US Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days.
- 5% cash back on the first $2,000 spent in two categories that you choose.
- 2% cash back on one "everyday" category. (Typical 2% categories to choose from include gas, restaurants, and groceries.)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Good APR.
Cons
- Most of the 5% cash back categories are pretty specific, so you'll probably spend more in the 2% cash back category. (For example, as of April 2020, the list of 5% categories to choose from was: Streaming services, home utilities, ground transportation, cell phone providers, electronics stores, fast food, department stores, furniture stores, select clothing stores, gyms/fitness centers, sporting goods stores, and movie theaters.)
Rewards & Perks
- $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days.
- 5% cash back on the first $2,000 spent in two categories that you choose.
- 2% cash back on one "everyday" category. (Typical 2% categories to choose from include gas, restaurants, and groceries.)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99%.
- APR on balance transfers: 13.99-23.99%. (0% for the first 12 months on balance transfers posted to your account within the first 60 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a foreign currency, or 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. dollars.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,729
A good card if you're an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer (3x miles, 40K miles signup bonus, and cheap companion tickets), but with a $75 annual fee.
$342/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Bank of America
Bank of America
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days.
- 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
- Get Alaska's Companion Fare every year: Each year on your account anniversary, get a companion fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22).
- Each mile is worth about 1.8 cents on average, which is high compared to other credit cards.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $75 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days.
- 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
- Get Alaska's Companion Fare every year: Each year on your account anniversary, get a companion fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22).
- Free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six other guests on the same reservation.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $75.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.99-23.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,709
A good no annual fee cash back card for students, with 5% cash back in rotating categories (1% for everything else).
$336/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
- Cash Back for Good Grades: Get $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- The 5% cash back categories change each quarter, so you might have trouble remembering them.
Rewards & Perks
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
- Cash Back for Good Grades: Get $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-21.99%. (0% for the first 6 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-21.99%. (10.99% for the first 6 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,680