A no annual fee points card, with a signup bonus of 15K points and an ongoing 2x points on groceries and gas, which is good for people who make lots of small purchases (due to its "rounding up" feature).
$318/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Citi
Citi
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Above Average (740-799)
Above Average (740-799)
X
Pros
- 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months.
- 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6K spent per year.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- Automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase (which is particularly good for people who make lots of small purchases).
- 10% points back for the first 100,000 ThankYou Points that you redeem each year.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Each point is worth just 0.75 cents on average, which is low compared to other credit cards. (Redeeming points for cash back yields only half of a cent per point. You could potentially get double the value, or slightly more, if you redeem for things like gift cards, however.)
Rewards & Perks
- 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months.
- 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6K spent per year.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- Automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
- 10% points back for the first 100,000 ThankYou Points that you redeem each year.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 13.49-23.49%. (0% for the first 15 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 13.49-23.49%. (0% for the first 15 months on balance transfers that are completed within the first 4 months.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,591
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 great no annual fee cash back card for people who are Costco members and spend a lot on gas (4% cash back), restaurants (3%), travel (3%), and Costco (2%) purchases.
$312/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Citi
Citi
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Above Average (740-799)
Above Average (740-799)
X
Pros
- 4% cash back on gas (including gas at Costco), for the first $7,000 spent per year.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and travel.
- 2% cash back on other Costco purchases (in-store and/or at costco.com).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee (but you still need to pay your regular Costco annual membership fee).
- Good APR.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- You'd still need to pay your regular Costco annual membership fee.
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 4% cash back on gas (including gas at Costco), for the first $7,000 spent per year.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and travel.
- 2% cash back on other Costco purchases (in-store and/or at costco.com).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee (but you still need to pay for your Costco membership).
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.24%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,559
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 cash back card (1.5% cash back on all purchases), with a $200 signup bonus (after making 3 debit card transactions in a new checking account), for people who only have an average or fair credit score, which has no annual fee.
$310/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.*
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fee.
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.*
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 8.99-29.99%.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,550
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan
- $0 fees - $0 annual fee, $0 activation fees, $0 maintenance fees
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Access to a virtual card while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
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 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 secured card (requiring a deposit of at least $200) with decent cash back rewards (2% on restaurants and gas; doubled in the first year) and no annual fee.
$264/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations 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.
Cons
- The cash back rewards are ok, but not great.
- Requires an up-front deposit (although it's a refundable deposit).
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations 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: 22.99%.
- APR on balance transfers: 22.99%. (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: $1,320
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