Apply Now
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for excellent credit, due to its generous sign-up bonus offer, high earning rates for travel and dining, flexible rewards and $300 annual travel credit. On top of that, it also comes with great perks, including airport lounge access.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
$795 | 1X - 8X points
| 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
|
Runner-up
|
$95 | 2X - 5X Miles
| 75,000 miles
75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
|
Cash back
|
$0 | 1% - 8% cash back
| $200 Cash Back
$200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| |
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Mastercard®
|
$95 | 1X - 10X points
| 60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
|
Business
|
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that | 2X - 5X Miles
| 50,000 miles
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
| |
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
|
Hotels
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | 3X - 12X points
| 130,000 points
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
| |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
|
Airlines
|
$595 | 1X point
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
| 70,000 miles
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
|
To bring you this list of best credit cards for excellent credit, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on data from both LendingTree and the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.
We rank cards based on the following criteria:
We calculate the rewards earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonuses and annual bonuses (including annual free night certificates). We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum redemption thresholds, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits — like purchase protection, travel protections, elite status benefits and travel credits — against benefits from other cards.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best rewards credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder’s. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 100,000 points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns incredibly flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that can be used for travel through Chase, point transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners, gift cards, statement credits and more. Users can even get up to 100% more value for points when redeeming for travel through Chase.
Rewards rates on this card are generous (especially for travel and dining purchases), and cardholders get benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass™ Select airport lounge membership and a fee credit toward Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership. These benefits more than make up for the card’s $795 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is our runner-up for the best travel credit card for excellent credit for a few reasons — starting with the fact that it earns Venture miles that transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners. This card is also near the top of the list in terms of rewards-earning potential for a general rewards card, since you can earn a sweet sign-up bonus in the first year — plus 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Users can also redeem miles for a range of flexible redemption options, like statement credits toward any travel purchase or transfers to airlines and hotels.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also comes with solid travel benefits, including a few types of travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees and a statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® — a perk usually reserved for luxury travel cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: $200 Cash Back
Earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card made our ranking due to its generous bonus offer and range of important bonus rewards categories. You can earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You’ll also earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
New customers qualify for an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (a balance transfer fee applies), and the card comes with no foreign transaction fees, a unique benefit among the best cash back credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 60,000 points
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is in the top three of our list of cards with the most rewards-earning potential, thanks to its generous points on a wide variety of categories — these include gas, supermarkets, air travel, hotels, EV charging stations and restaurants. The card also offers 10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Plus, you can transfer these rewards to a variety of hotel and airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, making them extremely valuable.
And while the card is somewhat light on travel benefits compared to cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates & fees) and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, it does include a hotel savings benefit that can help cover the annual fee each year. With this benefit, you’ll get $100 off an eligible single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 miles
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business comes with a flat rate of 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site. Members get a fee credit (up to $120) toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, and there are no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
This card also offers a range of redemption options for rewards, including travel statement credits and mile transfers to more than 15 Capital One airline and hotel partners. Further, business owners qualify for free employee cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 130,000 points
It would be difficult to find a more rewarding hotel card than the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — at least not one with an annual fee below $200. From a large welcome offer to its outsized rewards for U.S. supermarket, U.S. gas station, U.S. restaurant and Hilton purchases, you can pile on points fast. Even considering that Hilton Honors points are inflated (worth only half a cent by our estimates), you can earn free hotel nights faster than average with this leading hotel card, thanks to its generous rewards.
It also comes with several Hilton-specific perks, like complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, a Hilton credit of up to $200 ($50 in quarterly statement credits) and a free night reward after you spend $15,000 with your card in a calendar year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 70,000 miles
We picked the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® due to its mountain of perks — including Admirals Club access — and its valuable rewards. We also like the fact that this card lets members rack up Loyalty Points toward elite status with the American AAdvantage program.
Due to its $595 annual fee, it’s best if you travel with American Airlines or its partners at least a few times per year. Perks include up to $120 in Lyft credits, up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases, the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions, priority boarding and more.
And if you’re a high spender who’s chasing loyalty with American Airlines AAdvantage, this card can help get you there: You’ll earn 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Plus, you can earn another 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
The definition of an “excellent” credit score depends on the credit scoring model being used. As you can see from the charts below, the FICO scoring model says a credit score of 800 to 850 is “exceptional,” while the VantageScore model labels scores between 781 and 850 “excellent.”
If your credit score falls into the “exceptional” or “excellent” range for either scoring model, it’s likely that you’ll be able to qualify for one of the best credit cards for excellent credit.
| Credit Rating | Credit Score |
|---|---|
| Poor credit | 300 to 579 |
| Fair credit | 580 to 669 |
| Good credit | 670 to 739 |
| Very good credit | 740 to 799 |
| Exceptional credit | 800 to 850 |
| Credit Rating | Credit Score |
|---|---|
| Very poor credit | 300 to 499 |
| Poor credit | 500 to 600 |
| Fair credit | 601 to 660 |
| Good credit | 661 to 780 |
| Excellent credit | 781 to 850 |
If you check your credit score and find that it falls short of the “excellent” credit range, there are moves you can make to inch your score up a notch or two. The following tips can help you improve your credit score over time:
Pay all bills on time
Since your payment history is the biggest determinant of your credit score, you’ll want to make paying your bills early or on time a priority. If you’re worried about paying bills late, or if you’ve done so in the past, consider setting up some of your bills on autopay.
You can also commit to a specific day of the month when you pay all of your bills at once. Note that some of your creditors, including some credit card issuers, may let you choose your own payment due date.
Pay down some of your revolving debt
The credit bureaus see high credit utilization rates as a sign of financial distress, meaning your credit score will suffer if you carry too much debt. However, it’s perfectly okay to use some of your available credit, and carrying a reasonably sized credit card balance from one month to the next won’t necessarily hurt your score.
Most experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio below 10% of your available credit for the best results. This means never owing more than $100 in debt for every $1,000 in available credit you have.
Use apps to build credit
You can use an app to help you build credit through payments you’re already making. For example, the Experian Boost app lets you get credit for utility bills, streaming services you pay for and even rent.
Avoid applying for new cards (at least for a while)
Since new cards result in a hard inquiry on your credit reports, you should strive to avoid opening new lines of credit while you’re working to improve your score. Note that “new credit” makes up another 10% of your FICO credit score.
Keep old accounts open
The average length of your credit history makes up another 15% of your FICO Score, and you can improve your record in this category by keeping your oldest accounts open — even if you’re not using them.
If your goal is getting the best rewards credit card for excellent credit, you should see how your credit looks before you apply. If you check your credit score and find that it needs work, you can take our recommended steps to increase your score before moving to that next step.
If your credit score is lower than you thought it should be, for example, you can check your Experian, Equifax or TransUnion credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for incorrect information that could be damaging your credit.
Make sure you pick a card that offers the perks and features you want the most, whether you prefer travel benefits, flexible rewards, a 0% intro APR period or something else. Note that some types of cards are more likely to offer certain benefits than others.
Consider the following types of credit cards for excellent credit, what their normal benefits are and who they tend to be best for.
Some card issuers let you see if you’re prequalified or preapproved for a card before you move forward with an application. This allows you to gauge your approval odds without getting a hard inquiry on your credit reports.
Both the FICO and VantageScore models use 850 as the best credit score. However, a perfect score is rare and difficult to achieve. You’re doing well if your score falls in the “Exceptional” range for FICO (a score of 800 or higher) or the “Excellent” range for VantageScore (a score of 781 or higher).
A credit score of 800 is considered “exceptional” with the FICO scoring model and “excellent” with VantageScore. This means it’s definitely a good credit score to shoot for, although it may take time and patience to get there.
Invitation-only credit cards are some of the hardest to get, and tend to require excellent credit and a high spend to qualify. Two of the most difficult cards to get include the Centurion® Card from American Express (known as the “black credit card”) and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card.
You can build credit with one card or several, and the steps you’ll take to do so are the same no matter what. Use your credit card(s) for purchases you can afford to pay for, pay your credit card bill on time each month and keep your credit utilization below 10% of your available credit, and you’ll have the best chance at building a stellar credit score over time.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Centurion® Card from American Express and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
