The Ascent's 2024 Credit Card Awards
Our best credit cards for cash back, travel, groceries, and more
To determine the best credit card award winners for 2024, The Ascent’s experts evaluated a wide range of offerings focusing on industry factors and user benefits, including:
- Annual fee
- Rewards and perks
- Sign-up bonus
- APR
Special attention was also paid to:
- Intro 0% APR periods
- Intro Balance Transfer periods
- FICO score access
- Rewards redemption options
Best Cash Back Credit Card
Discover it® Cash Back
This card is a fantastic option for those looking for truly elite cash back potential or for a lengthy intro period of 0% interest (or both!). The fact that you get all of this for no annual fee makes this card a no-brainer for many consumers and one of the few cards our top experts use personally. After the intro period, the go-to rate of 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR applies.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card
Chase Freedom Flex®
This card makes it easy to maximize your credit card rewards and checks all the boxes including no annual fee, high cash back rates across several categories, a 0% intro APR, and a big sign-up bonus.
Best Travel Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
We think this travel card exceeds competitors in value and flexibility and gets rid of the complexity seen in most travel cards. With a huge bonus valued at 75,000 Miles, high rewards rate on all purchases (not just travel related), and flexible redemption, it's a great option for beginner and expert rewards travelers alike.
Best 0% Intro APR Credit Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
This card makes it possible for you to take a nearly 2 year break from paying credit card interest. It offers one of the longest 0% intro APR periods we've seen on purchases and balance transfers -- a full 21 months from account opening. (After the intro period, the go-to rate of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies.) And on top of that, you'll pay no annual fee. It's a no-brainer if your focus is on paying debt down or financing a large purchase.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
This card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, which is one of the longest interest-free periods available today. And you'll pay a 3% ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min.) balance transfer fee, which is lower than the fee offered on some other well-known balance transfer cards.
Best Hotel Credit Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
This card is for travelers looking to save on Hilton stays and comes with a ton of great perks including airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees, and a sizable welcome bonus.
Best Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
This card is a great place to start when building your credit history. It offers perks only found in the best secured cards including cash back, no annual fee, and Discover's innovative sign-up bonus.
Best Credit Card for College Students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
This is one of the most feature-packed student credit cards we've seen. Along with Discovers award-winning cash back program, you'll pay no annual or foreign transaction fees and it has a 0%, 6 months intro APR on purchases. (After the intro period, the go-to 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR applies.)
Best Credit Card for Gas
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
This rewards card is great for gas, but it's also a well-rounded rewards card you can use outside of the pump, too. Earn unlimited 3X points at restaurants, gas stations, and travel (among other things) and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Best Credit Card for Groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations rewards are clear standouts, in addition to a big welcome offer and a nice 0% intro APR offer.
Best Credit Card for Dining Out
American Express® Gold Card
This card offers lucrative rewards at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and on travel and comes with a valuable welcome offer.
Best Airline Miles Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
For regular Southwest customers who want to save on Southwest purchases, this card packs a powerful punch including offering multiple ways to earn reward points.
Best Business Credit Card
Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus
An easy choice for high-spend businesses looking to carry one card. The welcome offer is among the biggest you'll find, and the flat 2% cash back rate outpaces much of the competition.
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Perfect for folks looking for a flexible program that allows multiple earning and redeeming options, this program has a robust list of transfer partners including major airlines and hotel chains. Also, you can earn substantial sign-up bonuses with Chase credit cards.
About the Author
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.