Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit of December 2024
Updated: Nov 18, 2024
+ 2 more+ 2 more
The point of having excellent credit is not to sit there and stare at your credit score. It's to take advantage of the opportunities available to those who have shown they can handle credit responsibly. People with excellent credit get the best terms on financial products — the lowest costs, the richest rewards, the nicest perks. That's especially true with credit cards. If you have a credit score of 720 or better, every credit card you carry should reward you in some way for using it, and the cards on this page all do exactly that.
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Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
The point of having excellent credit is not to sit there and stare at your credit score. It's to take advantage of the opportunities available to those who have shown they can handle credit responsibly. People with excellent credit get the best terms on financial products — the lowest costs, the richest rewards, the nicest perks. That's especially true with credit cards. If you have a credit score of 720 or better, every credit card you carry should reward you in some way for using it, and the cards on this page all do exactly that.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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The point of having excellent credit is not to sit there and stare at your credit score. It's to take advantage of the opportunities available to those who have shown they can handle credit responsibly. People with excellent credit get the best terms on financial products — the lowest costs, the richest rewards, the nicest perks. That's especially true with credit cards. If you have a credit score of 720 or better, every credit card you carry should reward you in some way for using it, and the cards on this page all do exactly that.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
The point of having excellent credit is not to sit there and stare at your credit score. It's to take advantage of the opportunities available to those who have shown they can handle credit responsibly. People with excellent credit get the best terms on financial products — the lowest costs, the richest rewards, the nicest perks. That's especially true with credit cards. If you have a credit score of 720 or better, every credit card you carry should reward you in some way for using it, and the cards on this page all do exactly that.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit of December 2024
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Families & households
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Going out & staying in
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for All-around cash back
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for All-purpose travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Elevated travel rewards & benefits
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Travel: VIP travel perks
BankAmericard® credit card: Best for 0% intro APR period + low intro transfer fee
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for Longest 0% intro APR period
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Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
All-purpose travel rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an outstanding pick if you want maximum flexibility in a travel rewards credit card. Use it on its own or combine your rewards from other Chase cards.
Our Take
The card earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase; 2 points per dollar on all other travel; 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and eligible online grocery purchases (see terms for details); and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. You can use points to book travel through Chase (they're worth 25% more that way), or you can transfer them to a dozen airline and hotel programs. There's a $50 annual credit for hotels booked through Chase, a giant sign-up bonus and more.
The card charges an annual fee of $95. That's standard for cards in its class, and for all you get, it can even be considered a bargain — but it's still an annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an outstanding pick if you want maximum flexibility in a travel rewards credit card. Use it on its own or combine your rewards from other Chase cards.
Flat-rate cash back
A simple value proposition — a high rewards rate on everything with no categories to remember or track — makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card an ideal one-card solution.
Product Details
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
You earn 2% cash back on every purchase. No complications, no catches, no gimmicks. The deal gets even sweeter with a solid bonus offer for new cardholders, a 0% intro APR period, a $0 annual fee and even cell phone protection.
You could probably find higher cash-back rates in your biggest spending categories (such as groceries, restaurants or gas), if you're OK with keeping track of the bonus structures on competing cards.
A simple value proposition — a high rewards rate on everything with no categories to remember or track — makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card an ideal one-card solution.
All-around cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has potentially lucrative bonus categories, but what makes it stand out is the rate it pays on purchases outside those bonus categories — a rate 50% higher than most competing cards offer.
Product Details
- INTRO OFFER: 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 Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Our Take
You earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase and 3% at restaurants and drugstores. But instead of the typical 1% on "all other purchases," this card gives you 1.5%. There's a solid bonus offer and a 0% intro APR period, and your rewards can be worth even more if you use them strategically within the Chase Ultimate Rewards® system.
Although it can earn you big rewards on travel bookings, this card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it's not a good companion abroad.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has potentially lucrative bonus categories, but what makes it stand out is the rate it pays on purchases outside those bonus categories — a rate 50% higher than most competing cards offer.
Going out & staying in
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare dinner-and-a-movie card that's just as rewarding for homebodies as for those who enjoy the night life.
Product Details
- For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Like to go out? You earn unlimited 3% cash back on restaurants and entertainment. Like to stay in? You also earn 3% cash back at grocery stores and on select streaming services. Plus, get 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; and 1% on other purchases. With a nice bonus offer, a 0% intro APR period and a $0 annual fee, it's a winner.
If your spending is more concentrated in one food category over the other — dining out or cooking at home — you could do better with a card that specializes in one of those areas.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare dinner-and-a-movie card that's just as rewarding for homebodies as for those who enjoy the night life.
0% intro APR period + low intro transfer fee
The BankAmericard® credit card isn't flashy, but with a long introductory 0% APR period, why would it need to be?
Product Details
- 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 15.74% - 25.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- No annual fee.
- No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
- Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Our Take
You get a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 15.74%-25.74% will apply. The balance transfer fee is on the lower end: 3% for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%; some other cards charge 5% right off the bat.
There are no ongoing rewards, so the card has limited value once the 0% intro period ends. When you get to that point, though, consider upgrading your account to one of the issuer's rewards cards.
The BankAmericard® credit card isn't flashy, but with a long introductory 0% APR period, why would it need to be?
Families & households
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the rare cash back card that charges an annual fee, but the rewards it earns are so rich that you might consider that fee a bargain.
Product Details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
You earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The bonus offer for new cardholders is one of the richest on any consumer cash-back card, and there's even a 0% intro APR period. Terms apply.
There's a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. You'll have to consider if you spend at least $31 a week at U.S. supermarkets to offset that cost. Terms apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the rare cash back card that charges an annual fee, but the rewards it earns are so rich that you might consider that fee a bargain.
Longest 0% intro APR period
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card boasts an offer that few other cards can match: a 0% intro APR period potentially approaching two years.
Product Details
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
The selling point of this card is pretty simple: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR. You also get cell phone protection if you pay your bill with the card.
The card doesn't offer rewards, so its value beyond the 0% intro period is limited (although you could later ask to switch your account to a different card from the issuer). If you're absent-minded, beware: A single late payment could cause your 0% period to be cut off.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card boasts an offer that few other cards can match: a 0% intro APR period potentially approaching two years.
Elevated travel rewards & benefits
The annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be intimidating, but regular travelers will find the card paying for itself with a generous suite of benefits.
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Our Take
Book travel through Chase with this card and get 5 points per dollar on airfare and 10X on hotel stays and rental cars. All other travel earns 3X. Like to eat out? Get 10X points on Chase Dining purchases and 3X at other restaurants. Other spending earns 1X. Use points to book travel through Chase (they're worth 50% more when you do) or transfer them to a dozen hotel and airline partners. You get $300 a year in credit for travel expenses, Priority Pass airport lounge access and reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. And don't forget the big sign-up bonus.
The $550 annual fee is a big upfront cost, no two ways about it. But the $300 travel credit alone more than cuts it in half.
The annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be intimidating, but regular travelers will find the card paying for itself with a generous suite of benefits.
Travel: VIP travel perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't designed to squeeze maximum value out of your travel dollar; it's designed to help you enjoy the VIP travel experience. Its high price tag reflects this.
Product Details
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
This is a high-end card designed for high-end travelers. The ongoing rewards are decent: 5 points per dollar on airfare and hotels when booked the right way (terms apply) and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. But the real value lies in the perks. There’s an annual credit of $200 for airline fees and up to $200 a year in Uber credit, for example. You’ll be reimbursed for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every five years and enough for a Clear membership. You have access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide and exclusive perks at hotels. And don’t forget the big welcome offer for new cardholders.
The $695 annual fee is about as high as it gets for a mainstream card. If you don’t spend a lot on travel, the rewards are poor. And while this card is geared to world travelers, American Express isn’t as widely accepted globally as Visa and Mastercard.
The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't designed to squeeze maximum value out of your travel dollar; it's designed to help you enjoy the VIP travel experience. Its high price tag reflects this.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR EXCELLENT CREDIT
Confirm details on issuer's website before applying.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Among flat-rate cash-back cards, you'll be hard-pressed to beat the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It earns an unlimited 2% back on all purchases, which is excellent. But in addition, the card offers a rich sign-up bonus and a decent intro APR period on both purchases and balance transfers. That's an impressive, hard-to-find combination of features on a card with a $0 annual fee. Read our review.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Families & households
If your household spends a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is for you. The rewards it pays in those categories — particularly at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions — are among the richest of any card. There's a nice welcome offer for new cardholders and an introductory APR period, too. The generous benefits come at a cost, though: Unlike most cash-back cards, this one charges an annual fee. Terms apply. Read our review.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Going out & staying in
Some credit cards reward you well for going out, others for staying in. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare card that does both. It offers a terrific cash-back rate not only on dining and entertainment but also at grocery stores and on popular streaming services. Toss in a good bonus offer and intro APR period, and this card is a winner. (see rates and fees). Read our review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Our pick for: All-around cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: All-purpose travel rewards
For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Our pick for: Elevated travel rewards & benefits
The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our pick for: VIP travel perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.
BankAmericard® credit card
Our pick for: 0% intro APR period + low intro transfer fee
The BankAmericard® credit card isn't flashy, nor does it aim to be. You get one of the better introductory APR periods available, providing plenty of time to whittle down debt or finance a large purchase. And that's about it. Read our review.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Our pick for: Longest 0% intro APR period
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has one of the longest intro APR periods on the market — approaching almost two years. You'll be hard-pressed to find a longer interest-free promotion, and it applies to both purchases and balance transfers. Read our review.
• • •
OTHER RESOURCES
What counts as excellent credit?
While there's no industry-standard definition of what separates "good" credit from "excellent" credit, NerdWallet generally defines excellent credit as having a credit score of at least 720 on a scale that runs from 300 to 850. Notice that the excellent range starts well below the top of the range. "Excellent" credit doesn't mean "perfect" credit; scores above 750 are usually enough to qualify you for the best credit terms.
When it comes to credit cards, the higher your credit score, the more (and better) cards you should be able to qualify for. Just keep in mind that credit scores are not the only factor that issuers look at when evaluating your application for a credit card. They may also be looking at things like your income, your other debts, how much credit you already have available, how much new credit you've applied for recently, and whether you already have other cards from the same issuer.
In general, the credit score ranges break down like this:
A score of 720 to 850 counts as excellent credit. Having excellent credit doesn't guarantee that you'll be approved for a specific credit card — but if you are declined, it's probably not because of your credit score. This page features our top-rated cards for excellent credit, but your options go way beyond these.
A score of 690 to 719 counts as good credit. Most cards that are available to people with excellent credit are also open to those with good credit, but there are some exceptions. See our best credit cards for good credit.
A score of 630 to 689 counts as fair credit. This is sometimes referred to as "average" credit, although the true average credit score in the U.S. is actually a little higher than this range. People in the fair credit range aren't going to qualify for the best cards on the market, but they have some solid options. See our best credit cards for fair credit.
A score of 300 to 629 counts as bad credit. Credit card issuers are wary about extending credit to people with bad credit, so your options will be limited. In general, to get a credit card with bad credit, you'll have to either put down a cash security deposit or pay high fees. See our best credit cards for bad credit.
NerdWallet generally recommends secured credit cards for those with bad credit because you can get your security deposit back when you move up to a better card. The fees on unsecured cards for bad credit, by contrast, are often outrageous — usually adding up to more than what a deposit on a secured card would cost you — and once you pay them, they're gone.
Some people are so new to credit that they don't have a credit score at all. They don't exactly have "bad" credit, but they're still viewed as risky by credit card issuers because they haven't yet shown that they can reliably borrow money and pay it back. Many of the same cards that work for people with bad credit will work for those with no credit. And some issuers specialize in the "no credit" or "thin credit" market. See our best starter credit cards for no credit.
What credit card benefits do you get with excellent credit?
The better your credit, the better the credit cards you can qualify for, and having excellent credit opens up the best cards on the market. No single card gives you all the best features, of course. No matter how good your credit, you're not going to find a card that pays the highest rewards, offers the richest perks, carries the lowest interest rate and charges no annual fee. But whatever you're looking for in a credit card, you're more likely to find it with excellent credit.
Rewards. Cards with the highest rewards rates — in either cash back or travel points — require good to excellent credit. You can find credit cards that offer rewards equal to 1% to 1.5% back even for bad credit and fair credit. But if you want 3% to 6% in major spending categories, you'll need good credit.
Bonuses. The credit cards with the biggest sign-up bonus offers uniformly require good to excellent credit.
Perks. Many of the most expensive cards with the most lavish perks are available only to people with excellent credit. These cards offer things like airport lounge access, travel credits, rental car insurance and TSA PreCheck reimbursement. Meanwhile, airline-branded cards offer free checked bags and priority boarding; hotel-branded cards give free nights, elite status and access to upgrades.
Interest rates. Although most credit cards offer the same rewards and perks to all cardholders, the interest rate you pay is often tied to your creditworthiness. It's not uncommon for cards to charge its customers a range of APRs, where the highest rate is more than 10 percentage points above the lowest. With excellent credit, you have a better chance of scoring a rate on the low end of the range. (Of course, if you pay your bill in full each month, your interest rate doesn't matter because you're never charged interest.) With excellent credit, you're also more likely to qualify for credit cards with a lengthy 0% APR period.
Fees. So this one is a little tricky. Having excellent credit means you don't have to pay an annual fee just for the privilege of carrying a credit card. There are literally hundreds of good no-annual-fee cards available to those with higher credit scores. But paying an annual fee on many credit cards is often well worth it because the value you get back in rewards, bonuses and perks vastly exceeds the fee. And having excellent credit makes it possible to qualify for those kinds of cards.
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Last updated on November 18, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best credit card for excellent credit?
No single credit card is "the best" for everyone. The best credit card for you depends entirely on your needs. If you have excellent credit, however, you have the widest array of choices, and you may qualify for cards with the best terms. (Keep in mind that credit scores alone do not guarantee approval for any particular credit card. Card issuers look at income, existing debts and other factors when evaluating applications.)
What's the difference between good credit and excellent credit?
The line between good credit and excellent credit is rather fuzzy. A rule of thumb is that credit scores from about 690 to about 720 are "good," while "excellent" scores are anything from 720 on up. Credit scores don't tell the whole story, though. Someone with a 675 credit score might be approved for a credit card while someone with a score of 753 could be denied for the same card because of other factors — income, other debts, recent credit applications, etc.
When it comes to which credit cards you can qualify for, most of the best credit cards are available to people with either good or excellent credit. There are some exceptions, though.
What percentage of people have excellent credit?
Figuring out how many people have "excellent" credit starts by defining excellent credit, and that's a challenge in itself. NerdWallet, for example, classifies scores as "bad," "fair," "good" and "excellent" and defines excellent credit as 720 and up. The Experian credit bureau, by contrast, doesn't even use the term "excellent." It uses "very poor," "fair," "good," "very good" and "exceptional." Scores above 720 can be good, very good or excellent under Experian's rubric. The Equifax and TransUnion credit bureaus have their own scales.
All of which illustrates the point that labels are very general and not universal within the industry.
According to Experian, which as of June 2023 claims to have active credit data on 245 million individuals, the percentages break down like this:
Exceptional (800-850) — 21%
Very Good (740-799) — 25%
Good (670-739) — 21%
Fair (580-669) — 17%
Very Poor (300-579) — 16%
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