NerdWallet Best-Of Awards 2025

Your shortcut to the best credit cards for you

Our Nerds researched more than 300 credit cards, narrowing down to just one winner per category.

Credit Cards Nerd
Find a top credit card — fast

Click the categories you’re interested in to see the winners.

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR BONUS CASH BACK 2025

Capital One® SavorSM Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-8%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This $0-annual-fee card earns an impressive 3% back on dining and at grocery stores, as well as on select streaming and entertainment. You'll also get 5% back on select travel through Capital One. Its flexible redemption options and lack of foreign transaction fees make it a great traveling companion.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST ALL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD 2025

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points

Intro offer

100,000

Points

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

For a modest fee, you’ll get access to rich rewards in many categories, plus multiple transfer partners, an annual hotel credit, anniversary points and a big sign-up bonus.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARD 2025

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card’s long 0% intro APR on balance transfers (up to 21 months), low transfer fee and lack of late fees make it a standout choice.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR SIMPLE CASH BACK 2025

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Apply now

on Wells Fargo's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

2%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

You’ll get 2% cash back on all purchases and a rich sign-up bonus with a single card. That’s market-leading and makes this card a smart one for everyday spending.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR DINING 2025

Capital One® SavorSM Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-8%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

Several cards earn 3% back at restaurants, but this one also offers that rate at grocery stores, as well as on entertainment and eligible streaming services. Its lack of an annual fee or foreign transaction fee makes it hard to beat.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR GROCERIES 2025

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Rewards rate

1%-6%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

An industry-leading rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets makes it worth the annual fee. Generous rewards in other categories just add to the appeal. Terms apply.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS 2025

Discover it® Student chrome
Apply now

on Discover's website, or call

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Recommended Credit Score

630-689
(Average)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card earns solid rewards on gas and restaurants and even comes with a bonus offer for new cardholders. Better yet: You can get approved with no credit history.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR BUILDING CREDIT 2025

Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Apply now

on Discover's website, or call

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Recommended Credit Score

300-629
(Poor)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card offers ideal features for its category, like no annual fee and automatic reviews for a potential upgrade to an unsecured card. It even earns rewards.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST 0% APR CREDIT CARD FOR PURCHASES 2025

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-3%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

With its high cash-back rates on U.S. online retail purchases, this card can help you finance big-ticket items. Plus, you can use your card immediately after approval, making it useful in emergencies. Terms apply.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE 2025

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Credit Card
Apply now

on Wells Fargo's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points

Intro offer

20,000

Points

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card’s hefty rewards and useful transfer partners give it outsized value for no annual fee. Plus, its lack of foreign transaction fees means it's ideal for international travel.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARD 2025

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $150

Rewards rate

1x-2x

Miles

Intro offer

80,000

Miles

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

For a modest fee, this card gives you free checked bags, lounge passes, priority boarding and a credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards on dining and select travel expenses.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARD 2025

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

2x-17x

Points

Intro offer

3 Free Night Awards + 50,000 Points

Points

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card’s bonus categories, free night award and sign-up bonus more than make up for its $95 annual fee. Plus, Marriott’s massive footprint makes it easy to redeem rewards no matter where you’re headed.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST SMALL-BUSINESS CREDIT CARD 2025

Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$750

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

Straightforward rewards (1.5% back on all purchases), a long intro APR period, no annual fee and a generous welcome offer make this card an easy choice for any business. The cherry on top: Cash back is earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which makes the benefit more flexible, and potentially more valuable, than rewards from other top-rated business cards.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CREDIT CARD 2025

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee

$395

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Miles

Recommended Credit Score

720-850
(Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card’s $395 annual fee is easily offset with a yearly travel credit, anniversary bonus and lounge access. Plus, with 2X miles on most purchases, you’ll easily earn rewards no matter how you spend your money.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ENTERTAINMENT 2025

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-4%

Cashback

Intro offer

$100

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card earns a massive 4% back on a wide variety of entertainment expenses, like concerts and sporting events, plus public transportation, secondhand shops and some self-care purchases.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR STREAMING 2025

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Rewards rate

1%-6%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card earns a whopping 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Plus, the yearly statement credit on the Disney Bundle nearly offsets its $95 annual fee. Terms apply.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ONLINE SHOPPING 2025

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-3%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

690-850
(Good - Excellent)

why nerds love it icon

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
why nerds love it icon

This card earns an impressive 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year), making it a great choice for digital shopping. It also features U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations as bonus categories. Terms apply.

Read our methodology ❯
Get nerdy recommendations

Be confident you have the best financial products for you. Sign up to get personalized product comparisons, articles, promotions, and more.

Frequently asked questions

NerdWallet Home Page
Finance Smarter

Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product's site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution's Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.

NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc.

Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539

NMLS Consumer Access | Licenses and Disclosures

California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812

Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033)   Insurance Licenses

NerdWallet has engaged Atomic Invest LLC (“Atomic”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, to bring you the opportunity to open an investment advisory account with Atomic. NerdWallet receives compensation of 0% to 0.85% of assets under management annualized, payable monthly, for each referred client who opens an Atomic account and a percentage of free cash interest earned by clients, which creates a conflict of interest.

Brokerage services for Atomic are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC and an affiliate of Atomic, which creates a conflict of interest. For more details about Atomic, please see the Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2A and Privacy Policy. For more details about Atomic Brokerage, please see the Form CRS, the Atomic Brokerage General Disclosures. You can check the background of Atomic Brokerage on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities are Not FDIC insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged.

NerdWallet™ | 4150 N Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

© 2025 NerdWallet, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.