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We may be paid when you apply through some of the links on this page. That never changes which cards we list or what we say about them.
Best credit cards we cover in 2026
Eight cards, side by side, with the rates and fees the issuers publish., Seven are U.S. cards and one, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, is Canadian and priced in Canadian dollars. Nothing here is an approval decision: the rate you get depends on your credit profile, and the terms change often enough that you should confirm them on the issuer's page before applying.
Best for rotating 5% categories
Chase Freedom Flex
Regular APR18.24% to 27.74% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rate5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, activation required), 5% on Chase Travel, 3% dining and drugstores, 1% everything else
Fees$0 annual fee. Balance transfer 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APR0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
How to applyOnline, or at a Chase branch
Who can applyGood to excellent credit.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Rewards rate: 5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, activation required), 5% on Chase Travel, 3% dining and drugstores, 1% everything else
- Fees: $0 annual fee. Balance transfer 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%
- Regular APR 18.24% to 27.74% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Good to excellent credit
- U.S. address and Social Security number
- Subject to Chase approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
The strongest no-fee cash back card here if you are the kind of person who will actually activate the categories every quarter. If you are not, the year-round 3% on dining and drugstores still carries it.
people who like optimizing their spending
Best for flat-rate simplicity
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
Regular APR17.49% to 27.49% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rate2% cash back on everything in the first year, then unlimited 1.5%
Fees$0 annual fee. 3% foreign transaction fee. Balance transfer 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APR0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases, and on transfers made in the first 60 days
How to applyOnline, or at a Bank of America branch
Who can applyGood to excellent credit.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases, and on transfers made in the first 60 days.
- Rewards rate: 2% cash back on everything in the first year, then unlimited 1.5%
- Fees: $0 annual fee. 3% foreign transaction fee. Balance transfer 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%
- Regular APR 17.49% to 27.49% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Good to excellent credit
- U.S. address and Social Security number
- Subject to Bank of America approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
Nothing to track, which is the whole point. Year two is where it gets ordinary: 1.5% is below what several flat-rate cards pay, unless your balances with the bank push you into a BofA Rewards tier.
people who want one card and no homework
Best for choosing your own categories
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Regular APR17.74% to 27.99% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rate5% on two categories you pick (first $2,000 combined each quarter), 5% on prepaid travel booked in the Rewards Center, 2% on one everyday category, 1% on the rest
Fees$0 annual fee. Balance transfer fee applies, minimum $5
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APR0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
How to applyOnline, or at a U.S. Bank branch
Who can applyGood to excellent credit.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.
- Rewards rate: 5% on two categories you pick (first $2,000 combined each quarter), 5% on prepaid travel booked in the Rewards Center, 2% on one everyday category, 1% on the rest
- Fees: $0 annual fee. Balance transfer fee applies, minimum $5
- Regular APR 17.74% to 27.99% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Good to excellent credit
- Quarterly registration of your bonus categories
- Subject to U.S. Bank approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
The only card here that lets you point 5% at categories other cards ignore, like utilities or home bills. It rewards planning and punishes forgetting, since unregistered quarters pay 1%.
people with narrow, predictable spending
Best no-fee card for travel and dining
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Regular APR18.49%, 24.49% or 28.49% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rate3X points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming and phone plans, 1X on everything else
Fees$0 annual fee. No foreign transaction fee. Balance transfer 3% intro, then up to 5%, minimum $5
Credit lineSet at approvalReported starting lines are commonly $1,000 or more
Intro APR0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
How to applyOnline, or at a Wells Fargo branch
Who can applyGood credit, commonly reported around 700 or higher.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
- Rewards rate: 3X points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming and phone plans, 1X on everything else
- Fees: $0 annual fee. No foreign transaction fee. Balance transfer 3% intro, then up to 5%, minimum $5
- Regular APR 18.49%, 24.49% or 28.49% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Good credit
- U.S. address and Social Security number
- Subject to Wells Fargo approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
A travel card without the annual fee, which is a rare combination. The 20,000 point bonus is worth about $200 and the cell phone protection is a real perk if you pay your phone bill with it.
people who eat out and travel without paying for a premium card
Best for paying off a balance
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Regular APR17.49%, 23.99% or 28.24% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rateNo rewards program and no welcome bonus
Fees$0 annual fee. Balance transfer 5%, minimum $5
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APR0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
How to applyOnline, or at a Wells Fargo branch
Who can applyGood to excellent credit.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Rewards rate: No rewards program and no welcome bonus
- Fees: $0 annual fee. Balance transfer 5%, minimum $5
- Regular APR 17.49%, 23.99% or 28.24% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Good to excellent credit
- Transfers must post within 120 days of opening
- You cannot transfer a balance from another Wells Fargo account
- See the full breakdown
Our take
Hired for one job and good at it. Twenty-one months is the longest interest-free window on this list, and the 5% transfer fee is still far cheaper than a year of interest on a balance you are carrying.
people paying down a balance or financing one big purchase
Best for building credit from zero
Chime Credit Builder Visa
Regular APRNo interest, 0% APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rateNo standard rewards on the base card
Fees$0 annual fee, no late fee, no security deposit. $2.50 for out-of-network ATM withdrawals
Credit lineSet by the money you move to the cardNo preset limit, so utilization works differently here
Intro APRNot applicable, the card cannot carry a balance
How to applyOnline only, through the Chime app
Who can applyAn open Chime Checking Account. No credit check to apply.
Card details
- Credit line: Set by the money you move to the card. Intro APR: Not applicable, the card cannot carry a balance.
- Rewards rate: No standard rewards on the base card
- Fees: $0 annual fee, no late fee, no security deposit. $2.50 for out-of-network ATM withdrawals
- Regular APR No interest, 0% APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Chime Checking Account
- U.S. resident, 18 or older
- Money moved to the card before you spend
- See the full breakdown
Our take
The barriers are gone: no credit check, no deposit, no interest, and it reports to all three bureaus. The trade is that you have to bank with Chime and the card earns close to nothing.
people with no credit file or one they are rebuilding
Best for frequent United flyers
United Club Infinite Card
Regular APR19.74% to 28.24% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rateUp to 11X miles on eligible United purchases, 2X on other travel and dining, 1X elsewhere
Fees$695 annual fee, up from $525 in 2026. No foreign transaction fee. Authorized users cost extra
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APRNo intro APR offer
How to applyOnline, or at a Chase branch
Who can applyExcellent credit.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: No intro APR offer.
- Rewards rate: Up to 11X miles on eligible United purchases, 2X on other travel and dining, 1X elsewhere
- Fees: $695 annual fee, up from $525 in 2026. No foreign transaction fee. Authorized users cost extra
- Regular APR 19.74% to 28.24% variable APR — issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Excellent credit
- Enough United flying to use the Club membership and credits
- Subject to Chase approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
The United Club membership alone can cover most of the fee if you fly United often, since buying it outright costs more. If you fly a few times a year, the math does not work and a cheaper United card does.
people who live in United terminals
Canadian card, priced in CAD
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite (Canada)
Regular APR20.99% purchase rate (CAD)TD published rate for Visa Infinite cards, checked Aug 30, 2026
Rewards rate1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, EV charging, groceries and Air Canada purchases, 1 point per dollar elsewhere
FeesC$139 a year, rebated in the first year. C$75 per additional cardholder
Credit lineSet at approval
Intro APRNo intro APR offer
How to applyOnline, or at a TD branch in Canada
Who can applyC$60,000 personal or C$100,000 household annual income.
Card details
- Credit line: Set at approval. Intro APR: No intro APR offer.
- Rewards rate: 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, EV charging, groceries and Air Canada purchases, 1 point per dollar elsewhere
- Fees: C$139 a year, rebated in the first year. C$75 per additional cardholder
- Regular APR 20.99% purchase rate (CAD) — TD published rate for Visa Infinite cards, checked Aug 30, 2026
What you need to apply
- Canadian resident
- C$60,000 personal or C$100,000 household income
- Subject to TD approval
- See the full breakdown
Our take
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points across the welcome and anniversary bonuses, a free first checked bag shared with companions, and a NEXUS fee rebate, all for a fee that is waived in year one. No lounge access at this tier, and the points only work on Air Canada and Star Alliance.