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
A decent cash back card with no annual fee, 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and a welcome bonus of $200 if you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
$330/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
- Earn $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more in the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- The ongoing rewards rate (1.5% cash back) is pretty average. If you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are some better options out there -- especially if you're interested in a travel rewards credit card.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (but 0% for the first 15 months)
- Foriegn transaction fee: 2.7%
Total savings over 5 years: $1,650
A good cash back card for general spending (1.5% cash back), with no annual fee and a $200 early spend bonus.
$329/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 early spend bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $200 once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Several cards offer 1.5% cash back these days.
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 early spend bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $200 once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases: 15.49-25.49% (0% for first 15 months).
- APR for balance transfers: 15.49-25.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,645
A decent cash back card for a spend category of your choice (3% on one of: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement), plus 2% on groceries, with no annual fee and a $200 signup bonus.
$328/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
- $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.
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- 1% cash back all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- You’ll only earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then it drops down to a 1% cash back rate.
- Some other cards have higher cash back rates on groceries.
Rewards & Perks
- $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.
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- 1% cash back all other purchases.
- (You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%.)
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and BTs: 13.99-23.99% (0% for first 12 months).
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,638
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 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 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