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.
Sutton Bank
Visa
Average (670-739)
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
- 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 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.
TD Bank
Visa
Average (670-739)
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.
PNC
Visa
Average (670-739)
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.
American Express
American Express
Average (670-739)
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.
Credit One
Visa
Below Average (580-669)
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.
Bank of America
Visa
Bad (<580)
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.
Discover
Discover
Bad (<580)
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.
Discover
Discover
Average (670-739)
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
A sub-par travel rewards credit card, with a moderate 25K miles signup bonus and 3x miles on travel and dining, but an $89 annual fee and a value per mile of only 1 cent.
TD Bank
Visa
Average (670-739)
Pros
- 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 within the first 6 months.
- 3x miles on travel and dining.
- 1x miles on everything else.
- Good APR.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $89 annual fee. ($0 in the first year.)
- Not a very good value per mile (only 1 cent per mile) when compared to other travel cards.
- Most other travel cards have superior travel-related perks, such as access to airline clubs, free companion airline tickets, etc.
Rewards & Perks
- 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 within the first 6 months.
- 3x miles on travel and dining.
- 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $89. ($0 in the first year.)
- APR on purchases: 13.24%.
- APR on balance transfers: 13.24%. (0% for the first year.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,190
A good cash back card (1-1.25%) for students who don't have many other options due to their thin credit history, with no annual fee, but also no early spend bonus.
Capital One
Visa
Below Average (580-669)
Pros
- If you have a poor to average credit score, this is one of your best options for a rewards credit card.
- 1% cash back on all your purchases.
- Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month.
- $60 streaming subscription credit: Earn $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time. (Exclusions apply.)
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- There are several cards with higher cash back rates (if you have good or excellent credit).
- No early spend bonus.
- High APR.
Rewards & Perks
- 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month.
- $60 streaming subscription credit: Earn $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time. (Exclusions apply.)
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 25.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,184