CNBC's top credit cards for 2024.

Numerous credit cards cater to diverse financial circumstances and preferences. Regardless of whether you are a food enthusiast, frequent traveler, student, or credit builder, you can select from a range of card options.

CNBC Select releases a monthly list of the top credit cards based on limited-time sign-up bonuses, benefits, and more to help you choose the best one for your lifestyle.

Some cards stand out for their consistent excellence and are frequently ranked at the top. These cards provide exceptional rewards and benefits, and adapt to changing requirements.

CNBC Select has compiled the top credit cards of 2024 based on various factors such as rewards, fees, APRs, and additional perks. Our methodology outlines how we selected these cards.

Best cash-back credit card

This card is suitable for individuals seeking a comprehensive rewards program without an annual charge.

Earning 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on drugstores and dining at restaurants (including takeout), and 1.5% on all other purchases, as well as a generous welcome bonus, are the benefits of being a cardholder.

This card offers an introductory APR, 5% cash back on Lyft purchases, and complimentary three months of DashPass with 50% off for the next nine months. Activate by December 31, 2024.

Best travel rewards card

The American Express® Gold Card is perfect for food and travel enthusiasts. This card offers 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), making it an ideal choice for both dining out and cooking at home. Additionally, travelers can earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Points earned through Membership Rewards membership can be redeemed in different ways, including using them to pay at checkout on sites such as Amazon, redeeming for gift cards or a statement credit, or booking travel. Learn more about how points are calculated.

Cardholders receive an annual dining credit of up to $120 ($10 in statement credits a month) at participating partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Terms apply. Enrollment required. Additionally, there are *no foreign transaction fees.

Although this card has a $250 annual fee, it can be reduced to $130 with the use of the $120 dining credit annually. Additionally, the rewards earned from the card help offset the cost.

Amex Offers are available to Gold Card members, allowing them to earn statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards® points at select retailers. For instance, a recent offer for Wine.com stated, "Spend $50 or more, get $10 back." These limited-time offers are location-based and come with additional terms.

*See rates and fees.

Best credit card welcome bonus

If you want to maximize your value from the start, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is worth considering. New cardholders can currently earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This translates to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. Additionally, you may be able to get even more value by transferring Chase points to Chase's travel partners, such as Hyatt hotels and United Airlines, and booking business-class flights and luxury hotels.

The Sapphire Preferred is a great travel rewards credit card with strong earning categories for travel and dining. It earns 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2X on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Best no annual fee credit card

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a popular rewards card that has consistently offered one of the best flat-rate cash-back programs since its launch in 2014. With this card, cardholders earn 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when they make a purchase and an additional 1% when they pay their credit card bill.

You can earn an unlimited amount of cash back without worrying about activating bonus categories, and you can redeem it for a statement credit or direct deposit.

This card is also a great option for debt consolidation because it provides an introductory APR offer on balance transfers.

Best no annual fee travel credit card

This card is for whom? The Discover it® Miles card has a remarkable rewards program with no annual fee, making it a top pick among travel cards.

Discover's Miles card offers unlimited 1.5X miles for every dollar spent on all purchases, while also providing a hard-to-beat welcome bonus for higher spenders. For new card members in their first year only, Discover will match all miles earned mile-for-mile, up to a maximum of 35,000 miles. If you reach this threshold within the first 12 months, Discover will add an additional 35,000 miles to your account, resulting in a total of 70,000 miles or $700 toward travel.

You can pay for travel purchases using your card without any blackout dates, and easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel, restaurant, or gas station purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. Additionally, miles earned with this card never expire, even if your account is closed.

Best balance transfer credit card

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 21-month intro period at 0% on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer (after, 18.49% - 29.24% variable APR). However, balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. This provides nearly two years to pay off debt, which can be helpful if you have a large balance or if your cash flow doesn't allow you to pay off the debt within the shorter time periods of other balance transfer cards.

This card offers an introductory balance transfer fee of either 3% ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening, then up to 5% ($5 minimum), which can be beneficial if you're paying high-interest charges.

New cardholders have four months to complete their balance transfer, which is longer than the typical 60 to 90 days. However, the intro APR period starts at account opening, so it's best to make the transfer as soon as possible to maximize the interest-free period.

Although we suggest paying your balance promptly, this card does not charge late fees. Additionally, there is no welcome bonus or rewards program associated with this card.

Best low-interest credit card

The Andrews Federal Credit Union Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card offers low interest rates, a strong rewards program, and no foreign transaction fees, all without an annual fee.

This card offers a variable APR ranging from 13.74% to 18.00% on purchases. If you carry a balance, you can enjoy lower interest charges compared to other cards with high interest rates. However, balance transfers come with a fee of $10.00 or 2.00% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

The Visa® Titanium Signature Rewards Card boasts a lucrative rewards program: Accumulate 3X points on gas and grocery purchases and 1.5X points on all other purchases. Additionally, new cardholders receive a welcome bonus of 10,000 points upon spending $1,500 within the first 90 days.

To open this card, you must join Andrews Federal Credit Union, but anyone can join. If you don't meet the qualification requirements, you can join the American Consumer Council (ACC) for free with the promo code "Andrews."

Best secured credit card

This Discover it® Secured Credit Card provides a comprehensive set of benefits that are commonly associated with unsecured cards, including cash back, a substantial welcome bonus, and the ability to use the card internationally without incurring additional fees, all without an annual fee.

Earn a competitive 2% cash back on gas and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 per quarter, then 1%. Additionally, you can earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. New cardholders receive a unique welcome bonus: Discover will match all cash back earned in the first year, giving you an extra reward.

The Discover secured credit card requires a minimum $200 security deposit, which is typical for such cards. However, what sets it apart is its clear path to upgrading to an unsecured card and getting the deposit back. After seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account and transition you to an unsecured line of credit if you qualify. This eliminates the uncertainty of when you'll be eligible for an unsecured credit card.

Best for building credit and average credit

The Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card, issued by WebBank, is easier to get approved for because it takes a different approach to the credit card application process. Instead of solely basing creditworthiness on credit history, Petal may ask you to link bank accounts during the application process. Then, WebBank analyzes your bank statements and other data, such as bill payments and earnings, to determine your eligibility.

If you don't have any credit history, it won't negatively impact your credit decision.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a popular choice for consumers looking to build credit because it has no annual fee, no late payment fee, and no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, it does not require a security deposit.

The credit card offers a rewards program with 1% cash back on eligible purchases, which can increase up to 1.5% cash back after 12 on-time monthly payments. Additionally, cardholders earn 2% to 10% cash back from select merchants. This program not only provides a nice perk but also encourages responsible behavior.

Best for college students

This card is for college students enrolled in a two- or four-year college who want to build credit while earning rewards. To apply, you must be over 18 and a U.S. citizen.

Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on rotating categories up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%, with all other purchases earning unlimited 1% cash back automatically upon activation.

A Discover it student credit card offers an introductory APR for financing dorm room essentials or textbooks. After graduation, it transforms into a regular credit card.

Best dining rewards credit card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for food enthusiasts and frequent travelers who seek luxurious benefits, such as free airport lounge access and complimentary hotel room upgrades. The card offers a competitive 3X points on dining and travel worldwide. According to CNBC Select's calculations, the average American using this card could earn an estimated $165 per year in rewards for dining purchases alone (assuming you redeem rewards for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, receiving 50% more value).

The value of Chase rewards points fluctuates based on how they are utilized. When redeemed for cash and gift cards, each point is worth $.01, resulting in a redemption value of $1 for every 100 points. (Learn more about how the value of points is determined.)

This card offers a special advantage: when redeemed for travel using Chase Ultimate Rewards®, all points are worth 50% more. For instance, 60,000 points can be exchanged for $900 in airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. This benefit is an excellent way to maximize the value of your rewards.

Although this card has a strong travel rewards program, it comes with a high annual fee of $550. However, the card's added credits and benefits from Chase can help offset the cost. The $300 annual travel credit reduces the annual fee to $150. Additionally, cardholders receive a Priority Pass™ Select membership worth about $429 and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100 every four years.

Best gas rewards credit card

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers the highest rewards rate at gas stations with 5X points per dollar spent for gas purchases at the pump.

Road warriors can save money with this card because it has no annual fee. Additionally, cardholders earn high rewards at gas stations and receive unlimited 3X points for supermarket purchases.

To open the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, you must become a member of PenFed, which requires completing a few additional steps. You must apply, open a savings account with a $5 deposit, and maintain a $5 account balance.

Best grocery rewards credit card

What is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express? It offers the highest cash-back rate at U.S. supermarkets at 6% (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). This means that the average American can earn $310 in cash back each year when they do their shopping at qualifying supermarkets.

This card offers high grocery rewards, an unlimited 6% cash back on select streaming subscriptions, an unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, an unlimited 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Amex Offers allow cardmembers to earn a statement credit or extra cash back at select retailers. For instance, a recent offer provided $25 back monthly (up to three times) when spending $70 or more on Sun Basket meal kit delivery. These offers are only available for a limited time and come with additional terms.

The Amex card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, but it can be offset by the cash back earned and discounts available through Amex Offers. (See rates and fees)

Best for paying rent

The Bilt Mastercard® is the only credit card that offers travel rewards for rent payments without any fees.

Earning 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel, and 1X points on rent (up to $50,000 per year) is possible if you make at least five card transactions per statement period. Additionally, thanks to a new partnership with Lyft, cardholders can now earn up to 5X points on their rideshares.

With the BiltProtect feature, cardholders can avoid using up their credit limit and going into debt by charging their rent to their card monthly. Additionally, cardholders receive benefits such as cell phone protection, Purchase Assurance Plus, exclusive discounts with popular brands, and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

Bilt Rewards points are highly versatile and can be used for travel, online shopping, fitness classes, rent payments, and even home down payments. They can be redeemed by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point.

Best entertainment rewards credit card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases, making it a popular choice among sports fans, movie buffs, and adventure seekers. This is the highest unlimited rewards rate on entertainment spending, whether you're buying movie tickets, taking a family trip to the zoo, or spending the evening bowling with friends.

Entertainment events, such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the Capital One JamFest, are also accessible to cardholders.

Capital One offers cash back rewards on Uber rides, dining, popular streaming services, grocery stores, and all other purchases. Additionally, members can enjoy an Uber One membership and foodie-centric perks through Capital One Dining until November 14, 2024.

The annual fee of this card is $95, but it can be compensated by the cash back you receive.

Best credit card for Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck credit

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers excellent rewards rates, including 5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles per dollar spent on all other spending. Despite a $95 annual fee, it's low compared to some other rewards cards, with annual fees of up to $550.

Every four years, cardholders receive a credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, up to $100, and two free visits to Capital One airport lounges per year. These perks can save you time and money if you travel often.

This card offers no foreign transaction fees and includes several travel benefits, including 24-hour travel assistance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Your Guide to Benefits contains details on terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Best for airport lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express is designed for individuals seeking a luxury card with a comprehensive range of benefits. While it is particularly renowned for its travel-related advantages, this card also provides a variety of everyday perks, such as digital entertainment, shopping, and wellness credits (enrollment required), making it beneficial for anyone who wants to enjoy a premium card experience.

Membership Rewards® points are earned by cardholders at a rate of 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year), 5X on prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel, and 1X on all other purchases.

Over a dozen premium travel and lifestyle benefits are available to cardholders.

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $300 annual Equinox credit
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
• Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR®
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual Uber credit
• Up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Complimentary Amex concierge service
• Terms apply

The $695 annual fee of this card is the highest among all cards on the list, but it's worth it if you utilize its benefits to their fullest potential. Additionally, the card's welcome offer, which is valued at $2,000 by many rewards experts, further enhances its value. (Learn more about how the value of points is calculated.)

Best for premium perks

This credit card is ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and want a single, powerful card that offers a streamlined rewards program, numerous valuable perks, and a lower annual fee compared to other premium cards with similar features.

Capital One cardholders earn 2X miles on everyday purchases, 5X miles on flights, and 10X miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. These miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, such as Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Etihad Guest. Additionally, rewards can be redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel, cash-back, gift cards, experiences, and more.

The Venture X card provides up to $100 in statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, complimentary cell phone insurance, special perks on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection, access to Capital One Lounges and the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. Additionally, cardholders receive up to $300 back in statement credits each year for bookings made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel), making it easy to recoup the $395 annual fee.

Your Guide to Benefits contains details on terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Things to consider before choosing a credit card

Choosing the right credit card can be challenging with numerous options available. To determine the best one for your needs, consider answering these common questions.

Do you want to earn rewards?

Numerous credit cards offer cash back, points, or miles for every purchase made.

What specific categories are most important to you if you want to earn rewards?

There are various credit cards that offer rewards in different forms. To earn the most rewards in specific categories, consider using cards that provide bonus rewards on gas, groceries, restaurants, entertainment, travel, and more. Alternatively, you can choose a flat-rate cash-back card for a simpler option.

Are you looking to get out of debt?

If you have a high-interest credit card balance, consider transferring it to a balance transfer credit card with no interest for up to 21 months and no balance transfer fees.

Do you want to build credit?

Building credit is better done early on, and credit cards are a great tool for doing so. Secured cards are ideal for beginners, while other cards can help with credit building or repair.

Do you travel abroad?

To save the typical 3% fee per purchase made outside the U.S., it is crucial to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, cards that waive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees can be a good idea to consider.

What credit score do I need to get the best cards?

When applying for a credit card, the bank or lender will typically review your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus and check your FICO credit score.

This is how FICO credit scores are classified according to myFICO:

• Poor/bad credit: Less than 580
• Fair credit: 580-669
• Good credit: 670-739
• Very good credit: 740-799
• Exceptional/excellent credit: 800 or higher

A healthy credit score has numerous benefits beyond just improving your chances of receiving a lucrative welcome bonus. Your FICO score is determined by several factors, each with a different level of importance.

• Payment history: 35%
• Total debt: 30%
• Length of credit history: 15%
• New credit: 10%
• Credit mix: 10%

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Each credit card review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of credit card products. At CNBC Select, we take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content is created without any input from our commercial team or external third parties. To learn more about our methodology and how we select the best credit cards, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

CNBC Select analyzed over 250 popular credit cards in the US and compared them based on various features, including rewards, annual fees, and additional perks, to determine which cards offer the best value.

We took into account consumer spending data from Esri to determine the most useful bonus categories for rewards programs, as well as the value of points or miles, transferability, and ability to redeem for cash-back.

When selecting the best balance transfer card, we prioritized the one that offered the most affordable way to pay off debt, rather than the number of rewards that could be earned. When dealing with credit card debt, the main objective should be repayment. Earning rewards should be viewed as an added benefit, and it's important not to overspend to earn points.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

To learn about the rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.

To learn about the rates and fees for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, please visit this link.

To learn about the rates and fees for the Discover it® Student Cash Back, please visit this link.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.

To learn about the rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

Petal 2 Visa Credit Card issued by WebBank.

Some of the benefits listed for Capital One products are provided by Visa or Mastercard and may differ depending on the product. Check the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.