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Credit Karma Recommended Credit Cards

Best Credit Cards

Finding the best credit card can be a difficult task. At Credit Karma, we compare credit cards across dozens of credit card companies to give you the most up to date reviews and recommendations. Our featured credit cards have been declared the best credit cards based on user feedback, credit card interest rates, card benefits, and the way you plan to use the card. As a unique benefit, we also provide user feedback on credit score requirements and credit card limits. All of the reviews are free and you can apply online instantly. Search All Credit Cards

Featured Cards by Credit Score

Updated: 11/1/2009

  • Poor Credit
  • Fair Credit
  • Good Credit
  • Excellent Credit
POOR CREDIT SCORE OF 549 OR LOWER

With poor credit, your options for credit cards are somewhat limited. Most companies won't provide a credit line without a deposit and virtually all credit cards are going to charge monthly fees. However some of these cards will offer guaranteed approval and are the best ways to start rebuilding your credit. You may build, rebuild, or reestablish your credit history by making on time monthly minimum payments to all of your creditors and maintaining your balances below credit limits. Of these pre-paid and secured cards, these are the 2 best options for bad credit:

Best Secured Credit Card

52

Details

Public Savings Bank Secured Visa

Public Savings Bank Secured Visa Credit Card Apply Now Comments (312) Send to a friend
  • 0% APR for purchases for 6 months
  • No annual fee. Just a one time fee of $79
  • No credit, income or employment requirements
  • Reports to all 3 national credit bureaus
  • 25 day grace period

Why we recommend it...

Getting a credit card with poor credit can be next to impossible in this economic environment. Virtually all credit card companies have increased their credit score requirements to hedge against defaults in this poor economy. For people with poor credit, the only options are pre-paid or secured credit cards. The bad thing about pre-paid cards is that they don't help build your credit since they don't report to the credit bureaus.

When it comes to secured credit cards, the Public Savings Bank Secured Visa looks like a great option. It has a low one time of fee of $79 with no annual fee. It also boast a credit limit based on your deposit up to $25,000. This is a great way to rebuild your credit while gaining the benefits of a credit card.

Pros:
  • No Annual Fee
  • Builds Credit History
  • Convenience of a Visa
Cons:
  • Requires a Deposit
Credit Score Approval Data †
551

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

453

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

Best Pre-paid Credit Card

29

Details

AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard

AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard Credit Card Apply Now Comments (11) Send to a friend
  • 100% Guaranteed Approval
  • Free Credit Builder
  • Free Bill Pay
  • Free Direct Deposit
  • New iAdvanceSM loan option - no credit check

Why we recommend it...

Since you have to load money onto this card, AccountNow™ Vantage is not technically a credit card. However, they do report card usage to PRBC, the fourth, and lesser known, credit bureau. Maintaining this type of card is a small start to establishing or re-building credit. AccountNow™ Vantage's fees are among the lowest of any pre-paid cards.

This was the most taken guaranteed approval card on Credit Karma in recent months. The lower fees make it a user favorite for the second month in a row. Even though there is no credit check, we are posting the credit score averages to show that virtually anyone can be approved for this card.

Pros:
  • Low Fees
  • Guaranteed Approval
  • Convenience of MasterCard®
  • Help build credit with PRBC
Cons:
  • No real credit limit
  • Have to load money onto card
Credit Score Approval Data †
531

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

482

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

FAIR CREDIT SCORE OF 550-639

Fair credit consumers are on the fence with most credit card issuers. Approvals tend to be based on your credit score and other factors such as income and credit card debt. If approved, most cards come with a small annual fee and a low credit limit. However small the credit limit, this is a great option if you have fair credit and can help you continue to improve your credit score.

Best Secured Credit Card

52

Details

Public Savings Bank Secured Visa

Public Savings Bank Secured Visa Credit Card Apply Now Comments (312) Send to a friend
  • 0% APR for purchases for 6 months
  • No annual fee. Just a one time fee of $79
  • No credit, income or employment requirements
  • Reports to all 3 national credit bureaus
  • 25 day grace period

Why we recommend it...

Getting a credit card with fair credit is more difficult in this economy. Virtually all credit card companies have increased their credit score requirements to hedge against defaults in this poor economy. For people with fair credit, you may want to consider a secured credit card if you are looking to improve your credit.

When it comes to secured credit cards, the Public Savings Bank Secured Visa looks like a great option. It has a low one time of fee of $79 with no annual fee. It also boast a credit limit based on your deposit up to $25,000. This is a great way to rebuild your credit while gaining the benefits of a credit card.

Pros:
  • No Annual Fee
  • Builds Credit History
  • Convenience of a Visa
Cons:
  • Requires a Deposit
  • One Time Application Fee
Credit Score Approval Data †
551

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

453

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

45

Details

Discover® Student Card - Clear

Discover® Student Card - Clear Credit Card Apply Now Comments (39) Send to a friend
  • 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, movies and many more.
  • Unlimited cash rewards, automatically
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus® when you shop online
  • Double rewards with more than 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
  • Customer Service in less than a minute, anytime you want

Why we recommend it...

As the economy continues to decline, credit cards for fair credit become harder to find. One of the few exceptions are for student credit cards. These cards have all of the features and benefits of traditional cards but come with the lower credit requirements. This Discover Student Card has seen approvals with credit scores in the low 600's.

Pros:
  • 0% Interest* on Purchases for 6 Months
  • No Annual Fee
  • No minimum income or cosigner required
Cons:
  • Approval is Not Guaranteed
Credit Score Approval Data †
658

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

603

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

GOOD CREDIT SCORE OF 640-719

With good credit, your options begin to open up and it's vital to comparison shop. You'll discover a wide range of APRs, benefits, and fees. Be careful and do your homework because good credit is where many companies make their money. Below are our favorite credit cards for good credit.

Best Cash Back Card

47

Details

Chase FreedomSM Credit Card

Chase Freedom<sup>SM</sup> Credit Card Credit Card Apply Now Comments (75) Send to a friend
  • $50 Cash Back after your first purchase!
  • 3% bonus cash back offers in categories like gas, home improvement and department stores
  • Full 1% Cash Back on every purchase - no spending tiers or caps on how much you can earn
  • Up to an additional 20% cash back at select merchants when you shop online through Chase

Why we recommend it...

As the economic environment continues to narrow consumers’ credit card options, the Chase Freedom Card is bellwether for consumers with good credit. The Chase Freedom Credit Card has some of the best features in this market including a $50 cash back bonus, 1% cash back (up to 20% with certain merchants), and up to 12 months of 0% APR for purchases.

The Chase Freedom Card is the most popular credit card on Credit Karma with over 100,000 members carrying this card. The average credit limit for this card for consumers with good credit is $4,680.

Pros:
  • No Annual Fee
  • 0% APR
  • $50 One-Time Cash Back
Cons:
  • Balance Transfer Fees
  • Credit Requirements
Credit Score Approval Data †
738

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

685

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

Best Revolving Card

47

Details

Citi® Platinum Select® Card

Citi® Platinum Select® Card Credit Card Apply Now Comments (34) Send to a friend
  • 0% APR* on balance transfers and purchases for 6 months
  • No annual fee
  • Citi® Identity Theft Solutions
  • $0 Liability on unauthorized purchases
  • Secure, free online account management
  • Extra Cash from Citi: enjoy significant discounts on gift cards, travel, merchandise and more.

Why we recommend it...

If you carry a balance on your credit card, a low interest rate is key to saving money over the long term. Don't get fooled into getting a rewards card with a high APR. You'll pay for those rewards several times over in higher interest payments. The Citi® Platinum Select® Card has a variable interest rate as low as P+8.74%(V). The interest rate is determined based on your credit, so make sure your credit is at least 720 if you want to take advantage of this rate.

Pros:
  • Low Interest Rates
  • Low Fees
Cons:
  • Requires High Credit Score
  • Fee on Balance Transfers
Credit Score Approval Data †
739

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

654

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

EXCELLENT CREDIT SCORE OF 720 OR HIGHER

If you have excellent credit, you're at the top of the heap and the world is your oyster. You're virtually guaranteed approval for the top credit cards. With excellent credit, it's important that you choose a card based on how you use it to save the most money. Below are our favorite credit cards for excellent credit.

Best Rewards Card

54

Details

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express Credit Card Apply Now Comments (1) Send to a friend
  • Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
  • Use Starpoints® for free nights and upgrades at participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and more with no blackout dates
  • No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
  • Transfer Starpoints® - almost always on a 1:1 basis - to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
  • Earn one Starpoint® for every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at participating Starwood properties and retail partners
  • Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

Why we recommend it...

The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is often considered the best rewards credit in the market due to its flexible point system. Each dollar spent on the Starwood Preferred Guest card earns 1 Starwood point. Starwood points can be converted to frequent flier miles with over 30 major airlines. Transfer 20,000 Starwood points and get a 5,000 bonus Starwood points, meaning you can accrue miles at a rate of 1.25 miles per dollar spent.

In addition to a low annual fee, this card allows you to accumulate miles faster without being locked into any one particular airline making it in our opinion one of the best rewards card in the market today.

Pros:
  • Allows point to miles transfers with over 30 major airlines
  • Earn 1.25 points(miles) per dollar spent with bonuses
  • No annual point limits
Cons:
  • Requires High Credit Score
  • Annual Fee in Year Two
Credit Score Approval Data †
750

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

tbd

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

Best Card for Carrying a Balance

56

Details

SlateSM from Chase

Slate<sup>SM</sup> from Chase Credit Card Apply Now Comments (4) Send to a friend
  • Now with BlueprintSM
  • 0% intro APR
  • Patented Fraud Protection
  • Zero Liability on Unauthorized Purchases
  • E-mail and text alerts
  • No Annual Fee

Why we recommend it...

The Chase Slate Card is a new offering targeting consumers with good credit. The most unique feature of the Chase Slate is the ability for consumers to better manage their finances with Blueprint. The new feature allows cardholders to determine how they want their payments applied. Cardholders can avoid paying interests certain items by paying them off in-full while carrying a balance on items. In addition, Blueprint allows you to set goals and track your spending times over time. Combined with a low interest rate and no annual fee this card is great for people looking to better manage their debt.

Pros:
  • Chase Blueprint Feature
  • 0% Intro Rate / Low Ongoing Rate
  • No Annual Fee
Cons:
  • Requires High Credit Score
Credit Score Approval Data †
tbd

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

tbd

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

* See the online Provider's credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on Provider's website.

† Credit Karma members have received approvals with these credit scores. We hope this information helps you in your selection. Please note because factors including income, length of credit history, and employment status can affect credit card approval, these are only guidelines and approval is not guaranteed.

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