In a world where a dizzying array of credit card types are marketed to consumers, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. The thing is, you don’t have to learn everything about every single credit card on the market. All you need to do is figure out which type of credit card would work for your needs, then focus your mental energy on researching which of those are the right fit.
So, how do you choose the best credit card? Consider the different types of credit cards outlined below and how each type of card might work for your spending and financial goals.
Rewards credit cards typically give you points or cash back based on a percentage of your spending and some even offer bonus points in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining out.
Rewards credit cards also tend to offer at least a few different ways to redeem your points, often including options for statement credits, gift cards or merchandise. This makes them a great credit card option for everyday expenses when you know you can pay off your card right away. By using a rewards credit card to cover your basic purchases like groceries and household supplies, you can earn cash back and travel rewards for purchases you needed to make anyway.
See our best rewards credit card offers, including:
Cash back credit cards make it easy for you to earn cash back or statement credits on your spending, although how rewards are doled out varies from card to card. Some options in this niche offer a flat rate of rewards while others offer bonus points in certain categories like dining or travel. Some even offer bonus rewards in categories that change each quarter, as well as a flat rate of rewards on all non-bonus purchases.
Many cash back credit cards come with no annual fee as well, although some with more generous bonus offers and rewards schemes charge annual fees on the modest side, usually under $100.
If you tend to spend more in particular categories, like groceries or dining, you might choose a bonus category card rather than a flat-rate card, which is ideal for those with varied spending looking for an everyday card.
See our best cash back credit card offers, including:
Travel credit cards offer you the opportunity to earn rewards that are geared specifically toward travel, whether that means earning flexible travel credits you can use toward any travel purchase or even points you can transfer to airline or hotel programs. Some travel credit cards also let you earn points within a specific program, such as a frequent flyer program or hotel loyalty program.
If you often travel for business or pleasure, you can also keep your eye out for luxury travel credit cards that offer perks like airport lounge access, annual travel credits and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You don’t even have to leave town to start earning points and miles that can make your next trip more affordable — many of the best travel rewards cards let you earn these perks by making everyday non-travel-related purchases.
See our best travel credit card offers, including:
Business credit cards allow cardholders to keep their personal and business expenses separate while they earn rewards on all their business spending. Interestingly enough, business credit cards can also be cash back credit cards, general rewards credit cards, travel credit cards or even secured credit cards. You do need to have a business or income-producing activity to qualify for a business credit card.
In general, the signs of a good business credit card are if it helps you benefit from your everyday spending and makes running your business easier. Ideally, you’ll want to find a credit card with a generous rewards program, expense tracking abilities and features that help boost your bottom line. Some business credit cards will give you a flat rewards rate for all of your purchases, whereas other cards reward common business expenses like travel or internet service at higher rates. When it comes to redeeming your rewards, business credit cards generally let you exchange your rewards for either cash back or airline miles.
See our best business credit card offers, including:
Student credit cards are “starter credit cards” of sorts specifically geared to young people with a limited credit history. In other words, application requirements aren’t as stringent, so it’s easier to get approved. Most student credit cards don’t charge an annual fee and many offer bonus perks for good grades as well as rewards for each dollar you spend. If used responsibly, signing up for a student credit card can help young people build their credit and start creating good financial habits.
See our best student credit card offers, including:
Most credit cards are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put down any collateral. With secured credit cards, on the other hand, you’re required to put down a cash deposit in order to secure a small line of credit, usually for a similar amount. For example, you might sign up for a secured credit card and put down a $500 initial deposit in order to receive a $500 line of credit. The one-time deposit (and therefore credit limit) can be as low as $49.
While putting down collateral may not seem ideal, secured credit cards are the easiest type of credit card to get approved for, so they are often helpful when you need to build credit from scratch or want to repair your credit after a financial hurdle.
See our best secured credit card offers, including:
Co-branded credit cards are store or brand credit cards offered through traditional card issuers like Chase, Citi or American Express. These can include airline credit cards that let you earn miles within a specific frequent flyer program or hotel credit cards that let you earn points within a hotel loyalty program. Some co-branded credit cards also partner with retail stores, although you can typically use them for non-store purchases as well.
Generally, the rewards offered by co-branded credit cards are limited to one brand, but their rewards are solid and in many cases, the value of these rewards (like free hotel nights) end up being worth more than cash back.
See our best co-branded credit card offers, including:
Store credit cards are offered through retail stores to let consumers charge their purchases and pay them off over time. Store credit cards are generally only used within the specific store that offers them, although some store credit cards can be used within a specific family of stores.
Generally, store-branded credit cards have higher interest rates than general-purpose cards, and they are often more likely to charge deferred interest. Deferred interest means you’ll get a low or 0 percent introductory rate for a period of time, but if you don’t pay the full amount off within that time, you’ll be charged retroactive interest. That being said, if you can pay off your store credit card on time, you may be able to take advantage of some great perks and rewards programs.
Here are some of our favorite store credit cards:
Consider taking the following steps when you’re figuring out what type of card is right for you.
First, you’ll want to check your credit score to see where you stand. Excellent credit will pave the way to qualifying for any credit card you want, including the top travel and rewards credit cards. If your credit score is just “fair,” or you have particularly poor credit, on the other hand, you’ll be limited in the number of cards you can qualify for and may need to start with a secured credit card.
To give your credit score a boost, try lowering your credit utilization, paying your bills on time and mixing different types of credit.
Before signing up for a new credit card, figure out what you hope to accomplish with a new card. Do you need to build up your credit score or secure a lower interest rate? Perhaps you travel all the time and want to pick up a credit card with exceptional travel perks. There’s no right or wrong goal to pursue with different credit cards, but knowing what you hope to gain from your new card can help you narrow down the best options for you.
Do you have a lot of high-interest credit card debt or debt from other loans? If so, you may want to consider a balance transfer credit card that lets you consolidate your debts during an introductory APR period. If you don’t have any debt and you plan to stay that way, on the other hand, you can focus on other credit card benefits, like rewards or cash back.
If your goal is earning rewards, make sure you know which credit cards deliver your desired rewards. That could include cash back, flexible travel rewards or credit card points you can transfer to airlines and hotels. Either way, you’ll want to choose a credit card that lets you earn rewards in the categories where you already spend the most.
Finally, make sure to compare credit card fees and long-term carrying costs. Not only should you consider your credit card’s interest rate, but you should watch out for annual fees, late fees, application fees, over-the-limit fees and any other charges you may need to pay.
*The information about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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