Best Credit Cards for Good Credit in 2024

The numerical range for a “good” credit score varies based on which scoring model being used. The two most popular scoring models are the FICO Score^® and VantageScore. As you can see in the chart below, a good FICO Score is 670 to 739, while a good VantageScore is 661 to 780.

FICO Score

VantageScore

• Rewards rate

  If you want a simple approach to earning rewards, a flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card is ideal. But if you spend heavily in specific categories, consider a card that offers a bonus rate on those purchases, like the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express.

• Sign-up bonus

  Not all credit cards for good credit offer sign-up bonuses. But if you want to earn a big influx of rewards in a short period of time, there are several cards available that provide bonuses of $200 or more once you meet the spending requirements.

• Annual fee

  If you don’t want to pay to carry your card, there are plenty of cards that don’t charge an annual fee. However, the benefits provided by certain cards — like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees) — are well worth their annual fee. Consider whether it makes sense in your situation.

• 0% intro APR

  If you need to make a large purchase and pay it off over time, or if you want to transfer existing high-interest credit card debt, a 0% intro APR may be a good fit. There are available cards for good credit that offer intro APRs on purchases and/or balance transfers for 12 to 18 months.

• Other benefits

  Some credit cards also offer benefits that add extra value, such as purchase protections, travel insurances and credits and more.

Once you decide which credit card for good credit is right for you, you can take the following steps to apply:

1. Check your credit score. You should make sure your credit score is in the required range before submitting an application. There are several ways to check your score without negatively impacting your credit. For example, you can request a free copy of your FICO^® Score every 30 days through Experian, or you can sign up to get a free credit score through LendingTree.
2. See if you prequalify. Many issuers let you check to see if you prequalify for a card before you actually apply. This allows you to avoid a hard inquiry that could potentially hurt your credit score. (Note, however, that when you do apply for the card, a hard inquiry will be triggered.)
3. Apply for the card. Finally, submit an application for the card you want. The majority of issuers let you do this online, which is the quickest and easiest way to apply for a credit card. The application will require personal and financial information, such as your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, employment information, income, housing cost and more.

If your credit score falls short of the “good” range, don’t give up hope. There are several steps you can take to improve your credit score. Just remember that building credit takes time, so you’ll need to be patient and persistent.

• Pay your bills on time and in full. This is the most important factor for improving and maintaining your credit score. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, so you’ll want to keep it free from negative marks. To help avoid missing a payment due date, set up autopay on your account for at least the minimum amount due.
• Keep your credit utilization ratio low. Your credit utilization ratio — the amount of available credit you’re using — is the second most important factor affecting your credit score. It’s best to keep your utilization ratio below 30%. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000, you should keep your balance at or below $3,000.
• Avoid closing old accounts. The average age of accounts also affects your credit score. Even if you’re no longer using a card, it can be worth keeping the account open, especially if it doesn’t have an annual fee.
• Apply for new credit sparingly. Every time you apply for a new credit card or loan, a hard inquiry will be recorded on your credit report. Having lots of hard inquiries negatively impacts your score.
• Monitor your credit score and report for errors. It’s possible for incorrect information to appear on your credit score, so make sure you regularly review your report. If you notice a mistake, you can dispute the credit report error.