Best Credit Cards for 2022

Best for Tiered Cash Back: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
With a generous intro offer, high standard Cash Back rate of 1.5% and increased rates of Cash Back on select categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card makes a great choice for just about everyone. New cardholders earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. Enjoy 6.5% Cash Back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% Cash Back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee and no minimum to redeem your Cash Back via Chase's Ultimate Rewards.

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Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Featuring a best-in-class bonus offer, generous rewards on travel, and no foreign transaction fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Cardholders can earn a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases. Points can be transferred and used directly at airline and hotel loyalty programs but when redeemed through Chase's Ultimate Rewards portal will be worth an additional 25%. Best of all, new cardholders will earn 60,000 bonus point after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The bonus points used through Chase's Ultimate rewards portal have a value up to $750. The annual fee for the card is $95.

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Best for Grocery Shopping: Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Frequent grocery shoppers can take advantage of 6% Cash Back (up to $6,000 in purchases) at U.S. supermarkets with the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express. Cardholders also earn 6% Cash Back on select U.S. subscription services and 3% Cash Back at gas stations and on ground transit (incl. taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses and more). New cardholders earn a $350 statement credit with $3,000 spend in the first 6 months. Cardholders can also take advantage of $0 plan fees with Buy Now, Pay Later on plans created within 12 months of account opening. The yearly fee is $95.

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Best for Rotating Category Cash Back: Chase Freedom Flex

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
For those willing to put in a little work to stay on top of the quarterly Cash Back bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card is a great choice. Each quarter, new categories are available that pay 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spend per quarter). All year round, cardholders can enjoy 5% Cash Back on travel purchased through Chase plus 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores. New cardholders also can earn a generous bonus of $200 with $500 in spend in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and no minimum to redeem your Cash Back via Chase's Ultimate Rewards.

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Best for Everyday Cash Back: Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Those looking for a no fee American Express card for everyday purchases can find it in the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express. Bonus categories include 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%) and 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). New! 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. New cardholders earn a $200 statement credit with $2,000 spend in the first 6 months. Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Every Card to spend $13.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required. Cardholders can also take advantage of $0 plan fees with Buy Now, Pay Later on plans created within 15 months of account opening. Cardholders also get the unique benefit of 2% Cash Back at select department stores. American Express benefits for cardholders include car rental loss & damage insurance, purchase protection, dispute resolution and exclusive access to ticket presales.

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Best for Flat Rate Cash Back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
If you're looking for simple, easy, no-fuss card, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice. Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. New cardholders get a generous $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Unlike some other cards, there is no minimum to withdraw cash back and the cash back earnings never expire. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges.

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Best for Small Businesses: Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
For small business owners who regularly buy office supplies, pay utilities and have travel expenses, we recommend the Ink Business Cash Credit Card. Earn 5% cash back (up to $25,000 combined annual spend) at office supplies stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. In addition, 2% cash back is earned on at gas stations and restaurants each accounts anniversary year with unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. There's also a stellar bonus of $750 after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and employee cards are available at no additional cost.

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Best for Small Business Cash Back: American Express Blue Business Cash^™ Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Small businesses looking for a high cash back rate no matter where they spend need look no further than the American Express Blue Business Cash^™ Card. Businesses earn 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 in spend per calendar year and 1% on anything over $50,000. New cardholders earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Unlike many other business reward cards, there is no annual fee.

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Best for Flexible Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Frequent travelers who value high rewards and flexibility will be well served with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 2X miles on all purchases, redeemable for airfare and hotel stays. Miles are transferable to 15+ travel loyalty programs. Unlike some other travel loyalty cards, the rewards never expire and there are no blackout dates. members can also earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capitalone Travel. To top it off, new cardholders can earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. There is a $95 annual fee but most shoppers can make that up quickly in rewards.

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Best for Southwest Airline Rewards: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card^®

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
With the lowest annual fee for Southwest Airline cards and a generous bonus, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card makes an excellent choice for frequent Southwest flyers. Cardholders will earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest^® purchases and Rapid Rewards^® hotel and car rental partner purchases with 1 point earned per $1 spent on other purchases. A bonus of 40,000 points is earned after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus cardholders receive a bonus 3,000 miles on the anniversary of their account each year. Those looking to learn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass will also find this card very helpful as all accrued points (incl. bonuses) can be used to complete the requirement to earn the pass.

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Best for Delta Airlines Rewards: SkyMiles^® Gold Credit Card from American Express

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Frequent Delta flyers can take advantage of 2X miles on select everyday purchases, a generous welcome bonus, and Delta-specific perks with the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Credit Card from American Express. Cardholders earn 2X miles on Delta purchases plus 2X miles on purchases at grocery stores and restaurants worldwide (incl. takeout & delivery). All other purchases will earn 1 mile per $1 spent. New cardholders earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The $99 annual fee is waived in the first year and there is never a foreign transaction fee. Delta perks include one free checked bag per flight and the ability to earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in calendar-year spend.

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Best for Hotel Rewards: Hilton Honors Credit Card from American Express

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
No annual fee, flexible redemption options and generous reward rates make the Hilton Honors Credit Card from American Express a top choice for those looking for hotel rewards. Cardholders earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent at a Hilton Hotel or Resort and 5X for each dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus points per $1 spent. New cardholders who spend $1,000 in the first 3 months earn 80,000 bonus points and any cardholder that spends $20,000 in a calendar year will get upgraded to Hilton Honors Gold status. Points can be redeemed for hotel bookings, airfare, car rentals, cruises, dining and more. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges.

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Best for Balance Transfers: U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

Credit Level: Excellent/Good

Our Review:
Those looking to do a balance transfer should consider the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card. This no fee card offers a 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days. New cardholders can also earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Foodies can rejoice at earning 4X points on dining out, take & delivery plus 2X points at grocery stores. Purchases at gas stations and select streaming services earn 2X points as well, while all other purchases will earn 1X point per $1 spend. There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and earned points do not expire.

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Best for Students: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Credit Level: Average/Fair/Limited

Our Review:
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is a great entry-level card for students and young people looking to build their credit history. All purchases earn 1% cash back, boosted to 1.25% when on-time payments are made each month, plus earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Cardmembers will automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months. There are no annual fees or foreign transaction charges with this card, however, it is advised to pay the balance in full to avoid paying higher than average interest rates. Additional perks include $0 fraud liability, choosing the monthly due date, free credit monitoring via the CreditWise app, and more. You do not need to be a student to apply for this card.

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Best for Limited or Poor Credit: Capital One Platinum Secured

Credit Level: Limited/Bad

Our Review:
No annual fee and a low security deposit requirement make the Capital One Platinum Secured a good alternative to a prepaid card for those looking to improve their poor credit history. Cardholders can get a credit line of $200 by providing access to an authorized bank account and a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200. The card will report to all three major credit bureaus and cardholders get free credit monitoring via the CreditWise app. Unlike some other secured credit cards, this card comes with perks usually reserved for cards requiring a higher credit score including $0 fraud liability, price protection, roadside assistance, and more.

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