[December 2024 Edition] Top 5 Credit Cards

Credit cards are a part of everyday life. But it can be confusing to choose the best credit card based on rewards, travel perks, and cash back. Here are our favorite credit cards for 2020.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rewards Rate: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Transfer Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months and 3% when you transfer during the first 60 days of account opening, with a minimum of $5
Regular APR: 16.49% - 25.24% Variable
Annual Fee: $0
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards Rate: 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases worldwide.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $95
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Rewards Rate: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases. 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $69
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Rewards Rate: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases. 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, receive 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $99
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

Rewards Rate: Earn 3X points for every $1 spent at 7,000+ participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
Rewards Bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. And Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $0

The best credit card for you is a matter of what’s important to you. For example, looking for the best cash back credit card is vastly different than looking for the best travel rewards credit card, or the best airline miles credit card. Then there are some people who don’t know what “type” of rewards credit card to get. So we’ve gathered several great cards that cover the entire spectrum of rewards (cash back, travel, hotel, and airline) and put them here for your review.

Almost all credit cards offer you “something”. But the top credit cards will offer you a sweet “main” perk (like substantial cash back, or oodles of travel/reward points). Then they will augment that with bonus points, maybe waive foreign transaction fees, offer extra purchase protection, or a bevy of other secondary perks, like 0% interest on balance transfers.

Then there are annual fees and rates. These can substantially affect how much a card is worth to you.

So basically, we’re saying you need the entire story to answer the “what’s the best credit card for me” question. Above, we have reviews that cut through the hype and give you the facts. Read them and see which suits you, or go right to our top choice. Either way, you’re sure to get the best credit card for you.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rewards Rate: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Transfer Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months and 3% when you transfer during the first 60 days of account opening, with a minimum of $5
Regular APR: 16.49% - 25.24% Variable
Annual Fee: $0
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards Rate: 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases worldwide.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $95
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Rewards Rate: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases. 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $69
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Rewards Rate: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases. 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Rewards Bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, receive 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $99
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

Rewards Rate: Earn 3X points for every $1 spent at 7,000+ participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
Rewards Bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. And Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status.
Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee: $0