Credit Card Reviews by NerdWallet’s Experts
NerdWallet’s credit cards team has reviewed nearly all of the major cards on the market, as well as noteworthy products from smaller issuers. Follow the links below for reviews of more than 350 credit cards in all categories.
ABOUT OUR RATINGS: NerdWallet rates credit cards on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. See what goes into our ratings. |
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Cash back credit card reviews
Cash-back cards provide fast savings and easy-to-redeem rewards. Some pay a flat rate on all purchases, while others shell out higher rewards in certain categories, such as gas, groceries, restaurants, or online shopping.
★ MOST POPULAR
★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best cash back credit cards
Travel credit card reviews
Travel credit cards fall into two broad categories. "General-purpose" travel cards offer flexible rewards that you can redeem for a wide array of travel, without being locked into a particular airline or hotel brand. "Co-branded" travel cards carry the name of an airline, hotel, cruise operator or other travel provider. The rewards you earn are generally redeemable only with that provider. Below are reviews of popular general-purpose cards, followed by reviews of co-branded cards from airlines, hotel chains and other major travel industry players.
★ MOST POPULAR
★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best travel credit cards
Airline credit card reviews
★ MOST POPULAR
★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best airline credit cards
Hotel credit card reviews
★ MOST POPULAR
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best hotel credit cards
★ REVIEWS OF CREDIT CARDS FROM OTHER TRAVEL BRANDS
Airlines and hotels aren't the only big names in travel that offer branded credit cards. Cruise lines, travel agencies and others in the industry have partnered with banks to make rewards cards available to loyal customers.
Balance transfer and 0% APR credit card reviews
Save big on interest charges by moving debt to a card with a 0% introductory APR or by putting major purchases on a 0% card. The cards listed below are those for whom a long 0% intro APR period is the primary selling point. Keep in mind that a number of cash back cards also offer a 0% period, though that period will usually be shorter than what you'll find with a "dedicated" 0% card.
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★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best balance transfer credit cards and best 0% APR credit cards
Credit-builder credit card reviews
Those looking to build or rebuild their credit with a credit card have an increasing number of options. Secured credit cards require a cash deposit and are easier for people with low scores to get approved for. Other cards don't require a deposit but may charge high fees and interest. Some cards use alternative risk-assessment models that make approval easier for people with no credit history.
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★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best for bad credit || Best for fair credit || Best for no credit || Best secured || Easiest to get
College student credit card reviews
Several issuers have credit cards designed specifically for students. Some are available to those with no credit history. However, simply being a college student isn't enough by itself to qualify you for one of these cards. You'll need to have income, and there may be other requirements. Students who are unable to qualify for a student card may have better luck with a secured card or other credit-builder card.
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★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES:
Store and brand credit card reviews
Most major retail chains offer a branded credit card. Sometimes those cards can be used only at the retailer itself; other times, the card carries a Visa or Mastercard logo and can be used anywhere, although the rewards they earn might be redeemable only through the branded retailer. We've looked at dozens of credit cards from stores and other popular brands, from AAA to Zales.
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★ OTHER OPTIONS
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best store credit cards
Business credit card reviews
Credit card issuers have an array of cards designed for small business operators and entrepreneurs. Many of the major categories of consumer cards — cash back, travel, airline, hotel and so on — have business card equivalents. Plus, there are a number of cards that offer special financing options for small businesses. Scroll through the reviews below to see what's available.
» SEE OUR FAVORITES: Best small business credit cards
DEFUNCT OR UNAVAILABLE CREDIT CARDS
It's just the nature of the business: Credit cards come and go. The cards in this section have either been pulled off the market permanently, or they have stopped accepting new applications. Interested in what they used to offer? Take a look.
