Our pick for the best credit card for good credit is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It lets you earn 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. Miles offer flexible redemption options, including booking travel, covering travel purchases and transferring to airline and hotel partners.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
|
Winner / Best for travel
|
$95 | 2X - 5X Miles
| 75,000 miles
75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| |
Citi Simplicity® Card
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best for balance transfers
|
$0 | N/A | N/A |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi Double Cash® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Runner-up for balance transfers
|
$0 | 2% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash back
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card*
|
Best for flat cash back rewards
|
$0 | 2% cash rewards on purchases
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
| $200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
| |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards for Good Credit
|
Best for tiered cash back rewards
|
$0 | 1% - 8% cash back
| N/A | |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
|
U.S. supermarket shopping
|
$0 | 1% - 3% cash back
| $200 statement credit
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
| |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best for small business owners
|
$95 | 1X - 3X points
| 90,000 points
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
To bring you the list of the best credit cards for good 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 LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
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 the sign-up bonus 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 — such as purchase protections, 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.Welcome offer: Earn 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 the best credit card for good credit — as well as the best travel card for good credit — because it comes with a solid rewards rate, excellent redemption options and the opportunity to earn a hefty sign-up bonus. You’ll also earn flexible miles, which can be used to book travel through Capital One Travel or redeemed as a statement credit toward any other travel purchase. However, you’ll likely get the most value if you transfer your miles to one of Capital One’s travel partners. The card also comes with several travel benefits, including a credit (up to $120) for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
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
Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers, followed by a 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR.
If you have high interest credit card debt, the Citi Simplicity® Card can help you pay off your debt with a balance transfer offer. New customers receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)). Your purchases also qualify for no-interest financing during a promotional period, making it easier to pay them off over time. While this card doesn’t provide a welcome bonus, there are no annual fees, late fees or penalty APRs.
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
Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, followed by an 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR.
If you’re looking to pay off some high-interest debt with a balance transfer, the Citi Double Cash® Card is an ideal choice. This $0-annual-fee card gives you a year and a half to pay off your balance interest free. You’ll earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
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: Earn $200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
The $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides a simple approach to earning cash back. You’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases without having to keep track of categories or spending caps. It also comes with a long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and a solid sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
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.No spending caps
Ideal for foodies and people who like to go out on the town, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards for Good Credit boasts generous earning rates on entertainment, dining and supermarket purchases, as well as a flat rate on everything else. The card also offers bonus cash back on eligible travel and entertainment purchases made through its portal. All of its bonus categories earn unlimited rewards, so you won’t have to worry about spending caps or activating quarterly bonus categories. The card does not have an annual fee, so all of your cash back rewards are pure profit in your wallet, even if you don’t use it regularly.
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: Earn a $200 statement credit
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers one of the highest rewards rates you can find in U.S. supermarkets for a $0-annual-fee card. If you max out the annual $6,000 spending cap at U.S. supermarkets, you’ll get $180 in cash back* from those purchases alone. Plus, you’ll earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. This card is also a great option if you need to finance a large purchase or pay off high-interest debt on another card, as you’ll get a long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
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: Earn $750 cash back
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an excellent choice for business owners who want to focus on earning rewards instead of remembering bonus categories. This card lets you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business and offers free employee cards to earn rewards on their purchases as well. Business owners can also repay their purchases over time without incurring interest charges, thanks to a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months. After that, a 17.49% - 23.49% Variable APR applies. While this card does not have an annual fee, it does charge a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
The numerical range for a “good” credit score varies based on which scoring model is 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.
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Subprime (Poor) | 300 to 600 |
| Near Prime (Fair) | 601 to 660 |
| Prime (Good) | 661 to 780 |
| Superprime (Excellent) | 781 to 850 |
Having a good credit score can improve your financial situation in many ways. However, it can take time to improve your credit score, even when you’re doing everything right. With patience and persistence, your score will increase, allowing you to qualify for the best credit cards and better rates and terms on loans.
This is the most important factor for improving and maintaining your credit score. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, so it’s important to make on-time payments. Setting up autopay on your account for at least the minimum due can help you stay on track to improve your credit score.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that almost half of consumers found mistakes on their credit reports, and more than 25% found serious errors that could impact their scores. Review your reports regularly, and if you notice a mistake, dispute the credit report error.
With good credit, you may qualify for credit cards that offer valuable rewards and benefits that can save time and money. When comparing credit card options, determine which of the following features are most important to you.
Rewards rate
Choosing a card with a high rewards rate helps to maximize the earnings on your purchases. Some cards offer specific bonus categories, while others, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, offer comparatively high flat-rate rewards on all purchases. If you’re choosing a card with elevated rewards rates for certain categories, make sure it matches up with where you spend the most. Families with high grocery bills may benefit from the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards for Good Credit because they can earn rewards on groceries and dining.
Sign-up bonus
Not all credit cards for good credit offer sign-up bonuses. But if you want to earn a lot of rewards quickly, several cards provide bonuses worth $200 or more once you meet the spending requirements. However, don’t get a credit card just for its bonus, since opening and closing a lot of cards quickly can damage your credit. Instead, focus on cards that offer ongoing rewards and benefits that you’ll find useful for several years.
Annual fee
There are many no annual fee credit cards with appealing features, but cards with annual fees typically offer larger welcome bonuses, higher earning rates and valuable benefits. While many people avoid paying an annual fee, it can make sense if the benefits outweigh the cost. For example, airline credit cards typically waive checked bag fees for the cardholder and travel companions. With most airlines charging $35 to $40 per bag each way, you may be able to offset the card’s $100 annual fee after one or two flights.
0% intro APR
Credit card interest charges can quickly overwhelm the value of rewards earned if you carry a balance. If you’re planning a large purchase, you can pay it off over time without interest by taking advantage of an intro APR on purchases. For those already in debt, transferring your existing high-interest credit card debt to a balance transfer can eliminate interest charges to help you pay it off more quickly. On this list, you’ll find cards for good credit that offer intro APRs on purchases and/or balance transfers for up to 21 months.
Other benefits
While earning rewards is great, credit card perks can offer even more value to some cardholders. The perks vary by card, and cards with higher annual fees tend to provide more generous benefits. Purchase protections and travel insurance take care of you when something goes wrong, while credits cover purchases made at eligible merchants. Travel cards may offer an annual free night, elite status, free checked bags, airport lounge access and other valuable benefits while traveling.
Once you decide which credit card for good credit is right for you, you can take the following steps to apply:
If you’re starting from scratch or have bad credit, it can take six months or longer to build a good credit score. However, there are several things you can do to speed up the process:
Going from good to excellent credit might seem difficult, as there’s less room for improvement than when you’re just getting started. However, there are several strategies that can help you get to that next level:
Even if you have good credit, a stable job history and a good income, it is still possible to be declined for a new credit card. Many banks have application rules that limit how often people are approved for their cards. Application rules vary by bank, and many are unwritten rules that you won’t find on a bank’s website.
The Chase 5/24 Rule is one of the most well-known rules. It prohibits approval if you’ve opened five or more new credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months. American Express also has application rules, but they tend to focus on whether you qualify for a welcome bonus. If you don’t qualify, you may still be able to open the card, but you won’t receive a bonus, no matter how much you spend on the card.
Credit cards typically expire every two to five years. However, you should evaluate your credit cards annually to determine if they’re still a good fit. If a bank changes a card’s annual fees, earnings rates, bonus categories or perks, it can go from being a winner to a dud overnight.
Even if nothing changes with the card, your spending patterns or goals can evolve. When reviewing the card, make sure that its rewards, bonus categories and benefits still match the way you spend and the type of rewards you prefer. While the card may offer numerous perks, decide if you’re using them because you value them or just because they’re available.
A good APR for credit cards is one that’s below the average credit card interest rate. However, the interest rate on your credit card may vary depending on what type of card it is. Typically, credit cards that earn rewards or come from a retailer have a higher APR than other cards.
Ideally, the interest rate shouldn’t matter on your card. By only charging what you can afford to pay off each month, you’ll avoid interest charges that increase the cost of your purchases. If you need to carry a balance, consider getting a credit card that offers an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. Then, pay off the balance before the intro offer expires.
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 Wells Fargo Active Cash® 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.
