Erika Kullberg’s Favorite Credit Cards in September 2024

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The best credit cards offer lucrative welcome bonuses, outstanding rewards programs, and more. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the best credit card, we’ve selected some top contenders that have exceptional features.

Whether you’re looking to build credit, save money on interest, or offset the cost of an upcoming vacation, the cards below are great additions to your wallet.

Best for First-Time Cardholders: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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If you’re looking for your first credit card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good place to start. This is a great choice for covering everyday expenses and there's no annual fee. 

Points can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ or applied as a statement credit on your balance. There are other perks you can access too, like trip cancellation insurance and travel assistance services. 

The main drawback is that the card’s reward structure can be difficult to keep up with as some categories earn at different rates than others.

LEARN MORE: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for Dining and Entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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If you find yourself regularly dining out, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is good to have in your wallet. It rewards you for dining and entertainment and the points you earn from this card can even be used to pay for future nights out.

If you're a concertgoer or sports fan, you can earn even more. SavorOne offers 8% cashback on Capital One Entertainment Purchases and you get exclusive presale access to popular shows.

LEARN MORE: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for Frequent Travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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For frequent flyers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is arguably the best travel card on the market.

It has very high earning rates for travel and dining, especially when booking through Chase Travel℠ and Chase Ultimate Rewards. You also get a boosted redemption value when booking through Chase Travel℠ — your points are worth 50% more. Plus, you get a $300 annual travel credit.

This card does come with a hefty annual fee, but many benefits make it worth it. You’ll get access to more than 1,300 VIP airport lounges worldwide, including the new Chase Sapphire Lounges. You’ll also get up to $100 statement credit every four years to put towards your application for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

If you don’t travel enough to reap the full rewards of this card, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, which offers many of the same benefits for a lower annual fee. 

LEARN MORE: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for Rotating Cashback: Chase Freedom Flex®

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great way to get rewarded for everyday purchases, as you can earn 5% cashback in specific categories that rotate every quarter. These can range from filling up your gas tank to going to the movies or paying for your gym membership.

Categories require activation each quarter, and rewards earned in the bonus categories are capped at $1,500.

This is one of the highest rewards for a cashback card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. When used strategically, the Freedom Flex can help you earn cashback on things you were already planning on spending money on.

Your cashback rewards don't expire and there's no minimum to redeem for cashback.

LEARN MORE: Chase Freedom Flex®

Best for Bad Credit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

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On its surface, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card may not be as flashy as the more lucrative rewards credit cards on our list. It doesn’t have a big sign-up bonus (or any sign-up bonus) and it doesn’t earn points or cashback for its purchases. But it’s a great stepping stone if you have a low credit score and are trying to build your credit.

The Platinum Secured stands out from other secured credit cards because it has a very accessible minimum deposit requirement: You can get a credit limit of $200 with a deposit as low as $49. By contrast, most secured cards have a minimum deposit of at least $200, and their credit limits typically match the deposit amount. 

The Platinum Secured card also doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a good card to take with you when you travel overseas.

Capital One will consider increasing your credit limit as soon as six months after you open your account. Once you’re eligible for an upgrade to unsecured status, your deposit is refunded. 

LEARN MORE: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Best for Small Businesses: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

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The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card has long-term value for businesses that want to earn a respectable amount of cashback on every purchase. And Chase doesn’t skimp out on other attractive features, either. 

Purchases made with the card get:

• Extended warranty that increases U.S. manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less by an additional year
• Purchase protection for up to 120 days against damage or theft, with a very high reimbursement limit of up to $10,000 per claim
• Rental car insurance covering up to a rental vehicle’s actual cash value if it’s stolen or sustains collision damage

LEARN MORE: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Bottom Line

There are lots of types of credit cards you can choose from! Depending on your goals, habits, and comfort level, you might maintain just one card or you could open several cards. You might be interested in a rewards card that offers cashback or redeemable travel points, or a business credit card if you're an entrepreneur.

Evaluate your spending habits and goals. The features of a card need to align with your budget, so opt for a card that will complement your lifestyle.

FAQs

Should you pay an annual fee? 

It depends. Even though some credit cards charge an annual fee, those cards might provide you with more value in the long run. This is especially true for travel cards. Many of the added rewards that come with these cards, such as lounge access, might be invaluable to you depending on your personal situation.

Do the math and compare the rewards across fee-bearing cards and cards with no annual fees. If the rewards exceed the cost of the annual fee, it could be worth paying it.

What’s the best credit card?

The best credit card for you depends on your financial situation and your goals. For example, a simple no-frills credit card like the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is available to people with limited credit and is a great way to start building credit.

If you're a traveler, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great beginner travel card, with a big sign-up bonus and low annual fee. Its big sister, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, comes at a much higher cost but delivers high-end travel perks to back it up, so it’s often the best choice for frequent travelers.

What’s the advantage of using a credit card instead of a debit card?

A debit card is directly linked to a bank account. When you buy something, the money is withdrawn from your account. A credit card, on the other hand, isn’t connected to a bank account. It essentially acts as a mini loan to cover the cost of the transaction until you can pay it back.

A credit card can protect against fraud and scams. If someone steals your credit card information, they can make fraudulent purchases with your card number, but they won’t access your bank account and saved money. Consumer credit cards provide $0 fraud liability, ensuring you won’t have to pay for fraudulent charges.

It also comes with opportunities to earn rewards for purchases that you won’t get with a debit card. Many credit card companies have special cards that offer cashback on purchases or allow you to earn points you can redeem for travel. This can help you maximize the value of spending money, especially if it’s on things you’re already planning to purchase.

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.