A mediocre card with a decent rewards earn rate on all purchases (1.5x miles) and no annual fee, but also no signup bonus.
$324/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 1.5 miles per dollar for all purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the miles you've earned at the end of the first year.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the miles you've earned at the end of the first year.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-22.99%. (10.99% for the first 14 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,620
A good rewards card for general spending (1.5 points per dollar), with a 25K points signup bonus and no annual fee.
$320/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
- 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (0% for the first year).
- APR on balance transfers: 13.99-23.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,600
A no annual fee card with a good 5% cash back rate on categories that rotate (1% on everything else), with double the cash back in the first year.
$316/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
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.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
- The 5% categories rotate each quarter. (Can be hard to remember.)
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.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,580
A cash back card for general spending, which offers either 2% (if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member, i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military) or 1.5% cash back on all spending, plus a $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 w/in 90 days), with no annual fee.
$315/yr
total value to you
Issuer
PenFed Credit Union
PenFed Credit Union
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back on all spending if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member (i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military). Otherwise: 1.5% cash back on all spending.
- $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days).
- No annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back on all spending if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member (i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military). Otherwise: 1.5% cash back on all spending.
- $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days).
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 15.99-17.99% (variable)
Total savings over 5 years: $1,575
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Earn Cash Back for Everyday Purchases
- No Caps. No Limits. No Gimmicks.
- 2% Cash Back** on all purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage Membersƚƚ
- 1.5% Cash Back** on all purchases made with your card
- $100 Bonus Offer Statement Creditƚ When you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days
- 0% Balance Transfers Promo APR for 12 months, 3% fee applies to each transaction. Subject to credit approval.
- Balance Transfers Promo APR for 12 months, 3% fee applies to each transaction. Subject to credit approval. On transfers made from now until September 30, 2022. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 17.99%. A 3% balance transfer fee applies to each transfer. This transaction is subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase Variable APR*: 15.99% to 17.99%
- Refer to PenFed.org for Terms/Conditions
A no annual fee card with decent cash back rates (3% on dining, 2% on groceries) and a $150 signup bonus, but only available to people who live in one of 16 states.
$311/yr
total value to you
Issuer
TD Bank
TD Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $150 cash bonus when you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 3% cash back at restaurants.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Overall, the cash back rates are mediocre.
- You must live in certain states to apply. (As of April 2020, you must be a resident of one of the following: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virgina, Vermont, and Washington D.C.)
Rewards & Perks
- $150 cash bonus when you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 3% cash back at restaurants.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 6 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 15 months.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,554
A good card if you're looking for cash back on gas (4%), restaurants (3%), and groceries (2%), with no annual fee.
$305/yr
total value to you
Issuer
PNC
PNC
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 4% cash back at gas stations.
- 3% cash back on dining (also includes fast food).
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Good APR.
Cons
- You'll only earn the 2-4% cash back rewards for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories annually.
- There's currently no signup bonus offered for this card.
Rewards & Perks
- 4% cash back at gas stations.
- 3% cash back on dining (also includes fast food).
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-22.99%.
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 12 months when the balance is transferred within the first 90 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,524
A premium card that's great for frequent Marriott guests, with a 75K points welcome bonus, great points earn rates (6x at Marriott, 3x on dining and airplane flights, and 2x on everything else), and loads of other excellent travel perks, but a high $450 annual fee.
$303/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
- 75,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months.
- $200 in statement credits for purchases at US restaurants in your first 6 months.
- 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. 3x points on dining and flights. 2x points on everything else.
- $300 annual credit for purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
- Priority Pass Select membership.
- 1 free night every year after your card account anniversary.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- And lots of other great travel benefits.
Cons
- $450 annual fee.
- Each point is worth just 0.7 cents on average, which is low compared to other credit cards.
- Probably not worth it unless you're a frequent Marriott guest.
Rewards & Perks
- 75,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months.
- $200 in statement credits for purchases at US restaurants in your first 6 months.
- 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. 3x points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2x points on everything else.
- $300 annual credit for purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Rest and revive before your flight at one of the 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide.
- 1 free night per year: 1 free night every year after your card account anniversary.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit: With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, book direct using a special rate for a 2-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis and get up to $100 in credit for qualifying charges.
- 15 elite night credits: Each calendar year you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $450.
- APR on purchases: 15.74-24.74%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,515
A cash back card for spending on certain categories (5% on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service; 1% on everything else), but with a $95 annual fee.
$291/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Credit One
Credit One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- 5% cash back on the first $5,000 spent each year on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service
- 1% cash back for all other spending
Cons
- The 5% cash back rate is only for the first $5,000 spent in those categories (combined) each year.
- No signup bonus.
- $95 annual fee.
- Credit One has a reputation for sub-par customer service.
Rewards & Perks
- 5% cash back on the first $5,000 spent each year on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service
- 1% cash back on all other spending
Rates & Fees
- $95 annual fee.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 23.99%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,455
A great choice for people who have a poor credit rating, which has no annual fee and comes with 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.
$288/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Bank of America
Bank of America
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- A great card if you have bad credit.
- 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 3% cash back on a category of your choice
- 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs
- 1% on everything else
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- APR (on purchases and balance transfers): 23.99%
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Total savings over 5 years: $1,438
A mediocre cash back card for gas and restaurant spending (2%), but with doubled cash back in the first year and no annual fee.
$264/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back at gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- 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.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are better rewards cards out there for gas and restaurants.
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back at gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- 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.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,320