When you’re paying an annual fee, it helps to know if you’re getting your money’s worth.

While rewards credit cards can carry a lot of potential, it’s not always easy to figure out exactly how much value they provide.

Some card perks come with an exact dollar figure attached, but not everything is so clear. Plus, even when a statement credit carries an exact value, there’s no guarantee the perk will be easy to use.

To help with that confusion, our credit card editors developed an annual benefit value metric that provides a quick snapshot of how much an average consumer might earn from a card’s recurring perks and benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at how we calculate this value, what it captures, and how you can use these figures to help choose the best credit card for you.

How our editors’ estimated annual benefit value works

Editors’ estimated annual benefit value is our attempt to capture how much an average cardholder can expect to earn from a card’s recurring perks and benefits.

It is not a full valuation of every benefit a card provides, and it does not include any value you might earn from a welcome bonus or from spending in rewards categories.

Rather, it represents an attainable, reasonable value that cardholders might earn from their benefits on an annual basis. Instead of assessing the total potential value held by each card, we sought to provide a quick look at what it brings to the table.

How to use editors’ estimated annual benefit value

The estimated annual benefit value is meant to demonstrate how a credit card provides value over the long haul. While welcome bonuses and high rewards rates can help you earn serious value, they’re either temporary offers or dependent on how much you spend. On the other hand, many recurring perks and benefits can provide ongoing value even if you change your daily spending habits.

That doesn’t mean our numbers will always match up with your experience. Because we’re looking to find a middle ground value that can be attained by many cardholders, the annual benefit value may not align with everyone’s sense of how much they’re likely to earn from each valued card. Hardcore optimizers may far exceed our estimated annual benefit value, and others might not match our numbers. It all depends on what you find useful and the amount of effort you’re willing to put in.

Ultimately, the estimated annual benefit value is only a starting point to help guide your decision, and the true value of a card can vary from person to person.

For that reason, we always recommend digging deeper into what a card offers to see what potential value it can provide to you. In some cases, we may have valued benefits that hold no value for you, or we may not have valued a benefit that you would find especially useful.

What’s included in the Editors’ estimated annual benefit value calculation

Determining the editors’ estimated annual benefit value depends on numerous factors that can vary from card to card.

Consumers look for different things out of their credit cards, so we didn’t assume that a benefit that’s useful on one card must be valued on another. To put it another way, we’re not assessing the value any credit card user would get from a benefit, but the value for an average cardholder of that specific card.

For instance, if a co-branded airline credit card offers a free checked bag on flights with that airline, then it’s an important benefit of the card. However, if a flexible travel card were to offer the same checked-bag benefit only with that airline, we couldn’t be sure that the average cardholder would use that benefit.

In practice, that means calculating an estimated annual benefit value is more art than science. Still, we ask ourselves several key questions whenever we value a card’s benefits.

Can you put a value on the benefit at all?

Some credit card benefits are useful, but their value can’t be assigned a clear value. For instance, hotel chains don’t make their elite status available for purchase, but a credit card may come with that automatic elite status.

We chose not to value these benefits, because it’s not simple to approximate their dollar value. The benefits may be meaningful and important to you — they’re just not a good fit for this metric.

Does the benefit match the reasons someone would apply for this card?

The likelihood of a cardholder using a benefit can depend on context, and what looks like a crucial benefit for one card might not be for another.

For instance, people already seeking out travel cards are more likely to be interested in airport lounge access than chances to save on purchases at an expensive department store.

That doesn’t mean a benefit that’s not central to the card’s valuable proposition won’t be part of the estimated annual benefit value, but it can be a determining factor in choosing to include or exclude it.

Is the benefit easy to use? Is the cardholder likely to use it regularly?

We believe cardholders are more likely to use benefits that don’t require them to jump through hoops. Automatic statement credits and easy-to-activate perks are more likely to be included in the estimated annual benefit value than those that make you go through an application process.

Similarly, other benefits may be easy-to-use for those with access, but not widely available even in major cities. There are also recurring benefits that are unlikely to be used on an annual basis, like statement credits for exercise equipment purchases.

We also treat complimentary airport lounge access a little differently than other benefits that might not be widely available. While we value a card’s most important full lounge membership at its stated value, we assign a flat-rate amount to all other airport lounge offers, no matter if they include full access or individual visits. Because you’re only likely to use one lounge per airport visit, fully valuing all lounge offers tends to overrate their usefulness. At the same time, we understand the flexibility offered by card with considerable lounge access and want to capture that value.

Does the benefit cover the full cost of the expense?

Some benefits offer apparent value without much work, but they will likely require you to spend more than the cost of the full credit to use them. We often include these kinds of perks if they seem like they cover common purchases, but we use our discretion. In some cases, these credits can serve as enticements to make purchases you otherwise wouldn’t consider.

Does the card have few enough benefits that each one takes on added importance?

If a credit card has only a few notable benefits, we think those features are more likely to prove valuable to cardholders even if they fail to meet some of the standards discussed above. It’s easier for consumers to assess the usefulness of two benefits than of 15 benefits, and those who decide to apply have likely determined they can get value from these features.

This offer is no longer available on our site: American Express® Green Card

The American Express® Green Card’s greatest value comes in its rewards spending categories, but its top travel benefits are worth a closer look.

While the card doesn’t feature widely applicable travel credits, its more targeted perks hold real value for the $150 annual fee.

Is the American Express® Green Card’s annual fee worth it?

The American Express® Green Card might not provide value for every potential cardholder, but if you take advantage of its statement credits, you should find it relatively easy to cover the $150 annual fee.

The annual $189 Clear Plus membership credit and $100 LoungeBuddy credit might not be as attractive as flexible travel credits found on some other cards, but their value to you should be relatively easy to determine.

That’s especially true of the Clear credit, which costs more than the American Express® Green Card’s annual fee on its own. If you’ve ever been enticed by the Clear lane at the airport, then this card could be the right one for you.

The American Express® Green Card’s top benefits

$189 Clear Plus statement credit

The card’s most eye-catching perk covers up to the full $189 cost of a Clear Plus membership each calendar year. Clear Plus uses a digital identification process to allow you to bypass the standard ID-checking process at eligible airports to help speed up your time spent going through security.

That’s a great card benefit for anyone who already wants Clear Plus — the credit covers the full cost of annual membership and has a value greater than the American Express® Green Card’s $150 annual fee.

But keep in mind that the ID-checking process is just one part of airport security screening. Some other credit cards offer a statement credit that covers the application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, so you might need another credit card to maximize your efficiency.

$100 LoungeBuddy statement credit

The American Express® Green Card offers a $100 statement credit every calendar year on purchases made through LoungeBuddy, an online service that lets travelers book one-time visits to airport lounges.

While you don’t get the full lounge membership that comes with some premium travel cards, this benefit could prove useful for people who just want a taste of the lounge experience without committing to a card with a higher annual fee.

At the same time, the benefit won’t be useful for everyone. LoungeBuddy doesn’t offer access to every airport lounge — so it may be worth checking out its site and seeing if its options align with your traveling habits before deciding if you’re likely to take advantage of this credit. For many people, it may be difficult to realize the full $100 value.

Travel insurance and protections for added comfort

If you happen to find yourself in a jam while traveling, the American Express® Green Card may be able to help. The card comes with a number of travel insurances coverages and shopping protections, including trip delay insurance, a baggage insurance plan, purchase protection and extended warranties.

Not everyone will need these coverages, but they may end up saving you a lot of money.

Is the American Express® Gold Card worth the annual fee?

Other cards may offer more potential value from their benefits, but the American Express® Gold Card’s combo of credits and rewards makes it a strong choice for those who aren’t ready to shell out for a card with a pricier annual fee.

This card doesn’t feature as many notable perks as other premium rewards cards, but its monthly credits make it simple to determine if you’ll get enough value to make the $250 annual fee worth it.

With a potential total of $240 in annual credits via Uber Cash and the monthly dining credit’s restaurant partners, you can get very close to the annual fee just by taking advantage of those two $10 credits every month.

The most valuable American Express® Gold Card benefits

Uber Cash credits

The American Express® Gold Card offers $10 in Uber Cash each month to be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. To earn the credit, cardholders need to add their card to their Uber account.

If you already use Uber on a regular basis, you’ll see a straightforward $120 in value every year. If you don’t use the service, though, keep in mind that Uber Eats orders and Uber rides could often cost more than $10 apiece.

Dining credits

The American Express® Gold Card features another $10 per month in dining statement credits on specific purchases (with enrollment in the program also required). Currently, the monthly credit applies to purchases with Grubhub (including Seamless), The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.

But keep in mind that the credits don’t carry over if you fail to use them in a particular month. That means you’re able to get $10 in credits in January and a separate $10 in February, not $20 in February if you skip January.

More American Express® Gold Card benefits

The American Express® Gold Card also offers a handful of other benefits that might interest you.

• The Hotel Collection — When you book a stay of at least two nights through American Express Travel at properties included in The Hotel Collection, you’ll get a $100 experience credit for use on qualifying purchases, like dinners or spa bookings.
• ShopRunner free shipping — ShopRunner offers free two-day shipping on eligible items at a network of online stores, and cardholders can enroll for a complimentary membership.
• Travel insurance and protections — When you book trips with your card, you’ll get trip delay insurance and coverage for lost, damaged or stolen luggage. You’ll also get primary coverage for theft or damage to rental cars when you book with your card.
• No foreign transaction fees — Like most quality travel cards, this one comes with no foreign transaction fees.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card won’t wow you with its benefits, but they’re strong enough to help justify the $95 annual fee.

Unlike with some premium travel credit cards, you won’t be overwhelmed by the benefits on offer. But if you’re a frequent traveler looking for a smoother airport experience, you can find real value to add to the card’s user-friendly rewards program.

Is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card’s annual fee worth it?

The perks and benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card won’t cover the $95 annual fee in a direct way for all cardholders, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the cost.

Simply put, we consider this card one of the best starter travel credit cards on the market for its straightforward rewards program. If you don’t want to track bonus spending categories or search far and wide for the best travel deals, this card makes it relatively easy to get value for your spending without putting in too much work.

Plus, the benefits are strong enough that you won’t have to get value only from rewards point redemptions. With several perks to help make your airport experience more comfortable, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out as a strong option for those who don’t want to shell out for a premium card and high annual fee.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card’s top benefits

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (worth up to $100 every four years). Essentially, that means Capital One covers the cost of enrollment in one of these airport programs, both of which can help you move through airport security faster.

Various travel cards offer this statement credit, so it’s not exactly a benefit that sets this card apart from every competitor. At the same time, it’s not an especially common feature on a travel card with an annual fee this low.

More useful benefits

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card doesn’t feature many other notable benefits, but there are a few that can be useful for many cardholders.

• Travel insurances and extra coverages — The card provides travel accident insurance and extended warranty protections on eligible purchases, which might save you lots of money when you find yourself in a crisis.
• Hertz status — Eligible cardholders receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status, which provides greater car selection and other benefits when you rent a vehicle, through 2024.
• No foreign transaction fees — Like all the best travel cards, this one does not charge foreign transaction fees.

This offer is no longer available on our site: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has strong points and redemption options — and its benefits offer some useful value for the annual fee.

While the card doesn’t offer the wealth of benefits seen with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and other premium cards with big annual fees, it features several useful perks at a more-reasonable annual fee of $95.

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s annual fee worth it?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn’t feature the wealth of benefits you see from more-expensive cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

But that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to justify the card’s $95 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card features several bonus spending categories and plenty of redemption options through the Chase Travel℠ portal, including point transfers to airline and hotel partners. If you use your points for travel redemption and do a little work to find the best deals, you can get lots of value from the card.

Plus, its benefits can cover the $95 fee on their own, depending on your spending habits. With an annual $50 hotel credit and several spending credits and memberships, there’s considerable value available even before you redeem your points.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s top benefits

$50 annual hotel credit

The card’s top premium benefit covers more than half the annual fee in one go. You’ll get an annual statement credit that covers the first $50 you spend on hotel accommodations directly through Chase Travel every year.

Needing to use the Chase portal limits how you can earn this credit, and you won’t earn rewards points on that $50 in hotel spending. But if you plan to book at least one hotel stay through Chase every year, you can make use of this benefit without putting in much extra work.

More value for your points

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a strong rewards card, with earning potential in numerous categories, but that’s not the only way to get great value from your points.

Your points have 25% more value when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. That means 10,000 points are worth $125 on these redemptions. Just keep in mind that you won’t get that 25% boost when you transfer your points to one of Chase’s numerous airline and hotel partners — though your redemption value may still be worth more when you transfer.

Spending credits and memberships

There are ways to get value outside of the travel world, too. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card features the following complimentary memberships and spending credits:

• Instacart+ subscription — Cardholders receive six months of complimentary Instacart+, which includes no delivery fees on eligible orders. Instacart+ members also can earn $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024.
• DoorDash DashPass subscription — Cardholders can get a complimentary membership to DoorDash’s DashPass service for a minimum of 12 months when they activate by Dec. 31, 2024. DashPass includes $0 delivery fees on eligible orders.

With all these credits, keep in mind that the available offers are unlikely to cover the full cost of your deliveries. It’s more useful to think of them as discounts on services you already use, not completely free benefits.

Travel insurance and coverages for peace of mind

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card brings added security with a number of travel insurances and purchase coverages you won’t find on all premium credit cards.

With trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection and more, the card can help ensure a difficult travel situation doesn’t also wreck your finances. While not everyone will use these protections, benefits like these can really come in handy in a crisis.

This offer is no longer available on our site: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The best premium rewards cards offer value that goes well beyond the cost of an annual fee. But finding the right credit card can be tricky.

Top-tier cards come stacked with high rewards rates and valuable benefits, like big spending credits, airport lounge access and other perks. But navigating a card’s full list of features can take some work. And it’s not always super clear when a high annual fee is worth the cost.

But if you know how to use these cards, they can be very powerful tools in your wallet. It’s all about matching your spending habits — especially on travel — to what a card has to offer.

Here’s a quick breakdown of six notable rewards cards and how you can get the best value for the fee.

Platinum Card® from American Express: Loaded with benefits

With best-in-class airport lounge access and numerous spending credits covering everything from travel to shopping, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers enough to justify the expensive $695 annual fee.

Heads up though: Because the valuable spending credits are often tied to specific brands or types of purchases, you’ll want to be sure you’ll get enough use out of them to make the Platinum Card® from American Express worth it.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Flexibility and variety

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® features perhaps the most useful benefit of any premium rewards card — an annual $300 credit that applies to any type of travel purchase.

That means you can cover more than half the card’s $550 annual fee with a typical airline ticket or hotel stay or a handful of rideshares and cabs. And the card comes with some solid travel benefits, like airport lounge access, and a few other spending credits to help cover the rest of the fee.

To unlock this card’s full potential, you’ll want to line up your regular spending with its bonus categories and then redeem your points through Chase Travel℠ or transfer your points to one of Chase’s partner airline or hotel brands.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Practical but premium perks

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers clear value for the $395 annual fee — its two most useful benefits cover that cost all on their own.

• $300 travel statement credit on bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal
• 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary (worth at least $100 when redeemed for travel)

When you add in the card’s base rewards rate of two miles per $1 and all its other premium travel perks, it’s easy to see how you can get practical value with this card.

American Express® Gold Card: Rewarding for restaurants

The American Express® Gold Card doesn’t carry quite the wealth of perks offered by the first three cards on this list, but it’s arguably the best card if you spend a lot on restaurant dining or food delivery.

The two headline credits are for food delivery (and other eligible purchases) that can earn you up to $240 per year via monthly statement credits — a total just shy of the $250 annual fee.

You’ll also get a rewards rate of four points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide (and on takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and another four points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets for when you feel like cooking at home.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Straightforward rewards

If all the benefits and perks offered by some premium cards seem overwhelming, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with the promise of simplicity.

You’ll earn a base rewards rate of two miles per $1 spent on all purchases. And if you don’t want to go through the trouble of redeeming your miles for travel directly through Capital One, you can opt for statement credits to cover any travel purchase. Travel rewards don’t come much simpler than that.

While the card comes with a few nice perks and benefits, they’re unlikely to cover the fee on their own, so you’ll need to spend and redeem often enough to get value for the $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Entry-level travel optimization

For those willing to put in some effort, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card carries real potential for the $95 annual fee.

It comes with a host of bonus spending categories and redemption flexibility, two qualities that make its sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, one of the most coveted cards out there. But with the leaner Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which doesn’t boast as many top-tier credits or benefits, it’s important to use your points wisely to get the most possible value.

Essentially, the lower fee comes with a higher level of effort.

When you pay with a great credit card for restaurants, you can earn rewards whether you’re dining out, grabbing takeout or ordering delivery.

But not every credit card with restaurant rewards will work for everyone. Look below for several key factors to consider when looking at these credit cards.

Restaurant rewards rate

If you’re interested in a restaurant rewards credit card, you’ll first want to be sure that you’re getting a good rewards rate when eating out, getting takeout or using a delivery app.

Check for a high rewards rate, but also make sure that you know where you’re able to earn the rate. Some purchases might only earn bonus rewards on certain restaurant purchases, with exclusions like restaurants inside hotels or international food delivery.

Restaurant credits

In addition to rewards, you can also get value when a card offers statement credits that apply to certain restaurant rewards. These credits often apply to specific purchases, like those through DoorDash or Uber Eats, so you’ll want to check where you’re able to earn. If your rewards card comes with these credits, it can be an easy way to boost the total value you get from your credit card.

Other bonus rewards

When deciding on a restaurant rewards credit card, your considerations may include more than just what you earn from restaurants. For instance, if you cook your meals just as often as you go out, you might want to look for a card that also offers a solid bonus rate on grocery purchases. Or if you like to catch a movie after eating out, check to see if a card also offers bonus rewards for entertainment purchases.

Next steps

Restaurant rewards cards can be great additions to your wallet, but the right card for you is likely to be one that fits your existing spending habits.

Think about where and how you spend your money with restaurants. Do you usually get takeout? Is there a card that offers statement credits you can easily earn? Do you also shop for groceries? Answering these questions can help you zero in on the best pick.

A 0% APR credit card can help you finance expensive purchases, pay off existing debt or save on interest payments overall.

While these cards can be complicated to manage, they can also be powerful tools in your credit journey.

What are the different kinds of 0% APR offers?

A credit card offer may boast a 0% intro APR, but that doesn’t mean the low rate applies to both purchases and balance transfers. It’s important to be clear on what kind of APR offer you’re getting before applying for the card.

A 0% introductory purchase APR means you won’t be charged interest on your purchases for a certain period of time as determined by the credit card company.

For example, if you receive a 0% purchase APR offer for 12 months, you won’t be charged interest on purchases for the first year after your account opens. At the end of the 12-month intro period, any outstanding balance on your account would be subject to the regular purchase APR, and you’d be expected to pay the balance with interest.

A 0% introductory balance transfer APR offer means you’re not charged interest for a certain period of time on a balance you transfer from another credit card. These offers often come with specific rules about when the balance transfer must be made to earn the 0% APR offer.

When should you apply for a 0% APR offer credit card?

There are a few scenarios when you may want to get a 0% intro APR card, but there are two primary ones — paying down existing debt and financing new purchases.

You want to pay down high-interest credit card debt

High-interest balances can be difficult to pay down, but a 0% balance transfer credit card could help ease the burden. This type of card can help you focus on paying off your debt as quickly as possible, ideally during the introductory period.

You want to pay off a large purchase

Whether you’re saving for a vacation or a major appliance, or you get struck with an unexpected emergency, a credit card with a 0% intro purchase APR can be a handy tool.

Using this credit card can help ease the burden of paying a large amount at once. Instead, you can parcel out your payments throughout the introductory period without having to pay any interest.

Next steps

If you’re considering a 0% APR credit card, It’s important to remember that the offer is temporary.

After the intro period ends, your remaining balance and any new purchases will be subjected to the regular APR. If your new APR is high, it could negate any savings you saw from transferring your balance or the relief you received from not paying interest on purchases.

If you’re a frequent supermarket shopper, then you might want to look into getting a credit card that rewards you for getting groceries.

While a high rewards rate on grocery purchases is the top draw on these cards, different options cater to different shoppers’ needs. When looking for one of these cards, consider your habits and what you’re most looking for from a grocery rewards card.

We’ve singled out a few key factors below.

Grocery rewards rate

Naturally, the rewards rate you earn on grocery purchases is one of the most important features to consider when looking at these credit cards. Depending on the card, you might be able to earn a rewards rate of as high as 6% on some of your grocery purchases. If you shop often, those savings could really add up.

It’s also important to look at where you’ll earn your grocery rewards. For instance, some cards allow you to earn rewards at all U.S. supermarkets, but that might not include wholesale clubs like Costco or superstores like Walmart and Target. If you do most of your grocery shopping at those stores, you’ll want to look for cards that offer rewards specifically with them.

Annual fee

It may seem like a no-brainer to prefer a grocery rewards credit card with no annual fee over one with an annual fee, but that’s not always the best financial decision. Annual-fee credit cards may offer higher rewards rates than similar cards with no annual fee. Depending on your spending, the card with an annual fee might actually save you money in the long run.

Restaurant rewards rate

A grocery rewards credit card isn’t just about one rewards rate — you can also try to maximize your rewards earnings in multiple categories. If you dine out or order in often, you might benefit from a card that offers bonus rewards for both groceries and restaurant purchases.

Cash back vs. travel rewards

Once you’ve earned your rewards, you’ll want to make sure you’re able to redeem them in the most effective way. Many of the best grocery rewards credit cards are cash back cards, but others may allow you to redeem your rewards for travel. You’ll want to consider the best option for you, depending on your goals and needs.

Next steps

To get the most out of your grocery credit card, you need to figure out what type of shopper you are and decide on the credit card that best fits your needs.

Then, make sure you use that card every time you go grocery shopping.

Depending on the credit card you select, you might be able to earn a sign-up bonus or rewards that could help pay for groceries.

Not everyone will consider an annual fee credit card to be worth the cost. But that fee could be worth it if you can get more value out of the card than you pay in.

Let’s walk through several cases where it might benefit you to pay an annual fee.

For cash back rewards

If you want to earn cash back from a credit card, you might not like the idea of paying an annual fee before you earn those rewards. Why would you want to pay an upfront cost that will require you to earn cash back just to break even?

In some cases, though, a cash back credit card with an annual fee might provide more value than a card with no annual fee. If you spend enough in certain high-earning bonus categories, you might be able to earn more rewards than you’d get from a card with no annual fee.

For travel rewards

If you want to maximize your travel rewards with a credit card, then there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay an annual fee. While it’s possible to get good value from a card with no annual fee, an especially powerful travel rewards credit card can carry an annual fee of hundreds of dollars.

But that fee is often worth it if you’re a frequent traveler and can earn enough in travel rewards to redeem for the cost of flights, hotel stays or other forms of travel. Similarly, a few travel perks may cover an annual fee by themselves, depending on how often you use them.

For earning a sign-up bonus

Some rewards credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can cover the cost of an annual fee, or even multiple years of annual fees. As long as the spending requirement doesn’t fall outside of your usual habits, earning a sign-up bonus can be a straightforward way to make sure your annual fee is worth it.

What’s next?

No matter what kind of credit card you’re looking for, it’s not necessarily in your best interest to find a card with no annual fee. Depending on what you’re looking for and can afford, a card with an annual fee might give you more value in the long run.

Before committing to a card with an annual fee, just make sure you have a clear idea of a card’s pros and cons, and then settle on a card that fits your spending and redemption habits. No matter a card’s worth on paper, it won’t be right for you if you’re not able to get regular value from it. Otherwise, you might end up paying an annual fee with little benefit to show for it.

These offers are no longer available on our site: BankAmericard® credit card, Chase Freedom Flex℠

Hear from our editors: The best low-interest credit cards of May 2024

Updated April 30, 2024

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Written by: Eric Freeman

The best low-interest credit cards can help you finance expensive purchases, pay off existing debt or just achieve valuable peace of mind. Depending on your needs, they can be valuable tools as you manage your finances and ongoing costs.

Read on for our picks for the best low-interest cards, which offer 0% intro APRs and other useful features.

• U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for a long intro period
• BankAmericard® credit card: Best for a long intro period
• Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for a long intro period
• Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for maximizing cash back
• Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for bonus categories
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for simple cash back

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for a long intro period

Here’s why: If you’re seeking low interest rates over a long intro period, this card is worth a look.

The card offers a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days after your account opens. There’s also a balance transfer fee: An introductory fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. After that, either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. After the intro periods end, your variable APR for purchases and balance transfers will rise to 18.74% - 29.74%.

Unfortunately, this card doesn’t offer rewards to add value when the intro periods end. But if you want to manage interest, it’s a great option.

For more details, read reviews of the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card.

BankAmericard® credit card: Best for a long intro period

Here’s why: This card’s intro APR offer could help you manage existing debt or avoid interest from new purchases.

You’ll get a 0% APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days after your account opens. After the intro period, you’ll see an ongoing variable APR of 16.24% – 26.24% for purchases and balance transfers. There’s also a balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction for the first 60 days after account opening, then 4%.

For more info, take a look at our review of the BankAmericard® credit card.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for a long intro period

Here’s why: This card gives you a 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers must be made within 120 days of account opening, and the balance transfer fee will cost you 5% (minimum $5).

After your intro periods are over, the APR for both purchases and balance transfers rises to a variable 18.24% - 29.99%.

Read reviews of the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card for more details.

Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for maximizing cash back

Here’s why: You’ll get a strong intro APR offer and the opportunity to maximize cash back in your top spending category.

The Citi Custom Cash® Card gives you 5% back on up to $500 spent in your top eligible spending category every billing cycle — whether it’s gas, restaurants or another one of the several available options. All other purchases, including purchases made after hitting the monthly spending cap, earn 1% back.

Plus, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers completed in the first four months your account is open. There’s also a balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5). After the intro periods end, your variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers will rise to 19.24% - 29.24%.

Check out reviews of the Citi Custom Cash® Card to learn more.

Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for bonus categories

Here’s why: You can earn high cash back rates in numerous categories and save on interest with the intro APR offers.

This card offers 5% back on up to $1,500 spent on bonus categories that rotate every quarter. Unlike with the Citi Custom Cash® Card, you must activate your bonus categories before you can earn the 5% rate. After you reach the spending cap each quarter, you’ll earn 1% back.

But this card stands out for its additional bonus categories. You’ll also earn 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases.

The card offers an intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after your account opens. There’s also a balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for the first 60 days your account is open, and then the fee goes up to 5% ($5 minimum). After the intro period, the variable APR for purchases and balance transfers rises to 20.49% to 29.24%.

Learn more from reviews of Chase Freedom Flex℠.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for simple cash back

Here’s why: If you prefer straightforward rewards, this card offers the same solid rate on all purchases with a quality APR offer.

You’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases with this card, which makes it simple to use for those who don’t want to track their spending across bonus categories or multiple cards.

It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after your account opens. Balance transfers come with a fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5% (minimum $5). And transfers must be made within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro rate. After the intro period, the variable APR on both purchases and balance transfers goes up to 20.24%, 25.24%, 29.99%.

Read reviews of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card for more.

How we picked the best low-interest credit cards

We chose the best low-interest credit cards with a focus on delivering options that either allow you to take maximum advantage of an intro 0% APR or balance a solid intro offer with ongoing rewards value.

All of our selections offer a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers, and we only selected cards with intro periods that lasted for at least 15 months for both types of APR. With more than a year to manage your credit card balances, these picks are useful tools for keeping track of your finances.

While those most concerned with paying off existing debt can find other cards with longer balance transfer intro periods, we decided not to include those that feature shorter purchase APR intro periods. If you’re looking for more options, consider our picks for the best balance transfer cards and the best 0% APR cards.

We also made sure every card on our list doesn’t charge an annual fee — you probably don’t want to pay that upfront cost when you’re already thinking about how to handle interest payments.

Last, we consciously chose not to select cards that offer the potential to receive an especially low ongoing purchase APR. While a low ongoing APR can be a terrific feature in a credit card, there’s no guarantee the issuer will approve you for the lowest possible APR, even if you have excellent credit.

In the end, we considered it best not to suggest you’re likely to end up on the lower end of a card’s APR range when we don’t know exactly how each issuer will determine your interest rate.

When should you get a low-interest credit card?

There are three main reasons to get a low-interest credit card — to pay off existing debt, to avoid going into debt when making a big purchase, and to gain valuable peace of mind.

Paying off existing debt

A low-interest credit card with a 0% intro APR offer for balance transfers can help you pay off your high-interest debt over the introductory period.

If you transfer your balances from one or several credit cards to the new card with a 0% interest rate, you’ll be able to take more time to pay off your balances without worrying about new interest payments. But balance transfers come with plenty of risks, so make sure to do your research before you get started.

Making a big purchase

If you’re planning to make a big purchase with a credit card, like a major appliance, then a low-interest card with a 0% APR offer on purchases can help you manage that cost over an extended period.

When you make a purchase during the intro period, that balance won’t be charged interest until your 0% purchase APR ends. But keep in mind that you can lose an intro offer if you miss payments, and that making new purchases while also paying off balance transfer debt can lead to complications and even greater interest payments than you might’ve had before you got your new card.

Looking for peace of mind

Sometimes you don’t need a pressing reason to get a low-interest credit card. If you’ve had trouble with interest payments in the past or even just don’t want to worry, these cards can help you stay relaxed.

How do 0% APR offers work?

A 0% APR offer allows you to make new purchases or transfer balances without paying interest during the introductory period.

For instance, if a card offers a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months, then any new purchases you make in that time won’t accrue interest until the offer ends. If the card also offers a 0% APR on balance transfers for those 15 months, then you can transfer balances from other cards to your new card (usually while paying a balance transfer fee) and pay the combined balance without interest until the offer period ends.

These offers can be useful ways to manage debt, but they’re also quite complicated and full of risks. You might end up paying more interest than planned if you can’t pay off your balances by the end of your intro periods. And mismatched offers — where the purchase APR and balance transfer APR last for different lengths of time — could see you stuck accruing interest on your new purchases until you pay off your full transferred balance, even if you still have a 0% APR on balance transfers.

We strongly recommend reading the terms and conditions before applying for any credit card, but it’s especially important for a card with a 0% offer. These cards are tools to help you with your finances, not shortcuts to managing debt.

What are good ways to reduce interest costs?

If you find yourself making large interest payments, there are several ways to help your situation. A 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers can help you get out of debt, and a 0% intro APR offer on purchases can help you pay off balances over time if you’ve had issues with interest in the past.

If you don’t want a new credit card, you could try to lower your credit card interest rate. This method can be challenging because your credit card company has to agree to do it. But if your credit is in good shape and you have a history of on-time payments, it may be a possibility.

You may also consider consolidating credit card debt with a personal loan. Depending on your circumstances, this option might make getting out of debt a more manageable process.

These offers are no longer available on our site: BankAmericard® credit card, Chase Freedom Flex℠

Our editors choose the best credit cards with a mix of expertise, awareness and old-fashioned common sense.

When you shop for a credit card, you want to know the best options available without having to sort through hundreds of possibilities themselves. When we pick the best cards, whether overall or for a specific category, we aim to simplify your decision-making process.

Read on for a more detailed look at how we select the best credit cards from the hundreds of options available to U.S. consumers.

• How we pick the best credit cards
• Our criteria for picking the best credit cards

How we pick the best credit cards

Selecting the best credit cards involves much more than a quick look at the most popular options on the market. Our process involves several steps, from our initial assessments of cards to regular maintenance that helps us ensure that our picks stay relevant.

1. We familiarize ourselves with hundreds of credit cards.

Our editors explore the credit cards landscape on an everyday basis. When an issuer announces a new card or a new offer becomes available on Credit Karma, we dig into its details, develop a review and generally acquaint ourselves with everything it has to offer. We also regularly reassess and reconsider these cards as part of our everyday operations.

2. We compare cards within the same category to set benchmarks and decide on the most important qualities of each kind of card.

Learning about individual credit cards allows us to develop a picture of each credit card category. Our analysis includes understanding not only if an individual credit card offers solid value, but also how it compares to cards that promise similar features. For instance, if a cash back credit card boasts 2% back on grocery purchases, we assess if that’s a solid rate compared to other cash back cards. In our eyes, no card exists in isolation.

3. We identify the most pressing needs for each credit card category’s audience.

No single credit card can be all things to all people. Some people may want to maximize their rewards even if it means paying a $500 annual fee, and others may be looking for a straightforward card that offers simple rewards without too much of an upfront cost. At the same time, people who don’t have great credit may be looking for a useful card that’s also not too difficult to obtain. Simply put, even those looking within the same category of credit card may not want the same features.

With that in mind, we identify specific use cases and consumer profiles when selecting our best credit cards in each category, like “best for no annual fee” or “best for groceries.” This system allows us to address various types of people and their particular needs, not just people who want a long list of features.

4. We pick the best credit cards in each category.

Once we’ve identified the types of cards we want to include on each list, we set about making our selections for the best credit cards.

All of our selections stand out from the competition in their category, but we also understand that reader preferences can vary. One of our goals is to present a variety of great credit cards, including cards from various issuers or with different standards for qualification.

We also don’t let Credit Karma’s partnerships interfere with our choices. We choose the best credit cards regardless of these relationships, which is why you may see cards on our list that are not available through Credit Karma’s marketplace.

5. We keep up with new credit card launches and feature updates.

Credit card issuers regularly add new cards to their lineups and new features to existing cards. We track these updates every day and change our assessments of the best credit cards when warranted.

6. We review our picks monthly to maintain their accuracy.

To stay on top of any changes, we also review our best credit cards selections monthly to make sure each selection remains relevant and helpful to readers. If a crucial feature is removed — or a card is taken off the market entirely — we cut it from our list. We also do our best to replace it with a new pick that meets similar needs.

Our criteria for picking the best credit cards

Our editors assess each credit card category by a set of unique criteria because not every type of credit card is built to meet the same needs. For instance, we believe rewards rates and perks matter more for a travel card than they do for a credit-building card.

At the same time, there are several common card features that guide our thinking and assessments. We’ve outlined the most important qualities below.

Annual fee

A credit card’s annual fee sets an expectation for the value you’ll earn from it. With a rewards card, we want to be sure that it offers enough rewards and perks to offset and exceed that upfront cost. For a credit-building card, we want to be sure the cost of the card doesn’t end up hurting your finances in the long run.

Rewards rates

A rewards card is often only as powerful as its earning rates. Lucrative bonus rates in common purchase categories can help you earn rewards faster, especially if they have no caps or limitations. Similarly, a high base rewards rate on all purchases can make earning rewards a straightforward, simple process.

Sign-up bonus

Sign-up or welcome bonuses can be a great way to earn valuable rewards at considerably lower spending levels than you’d see at your typical rewards rates. We look at both the overall potential value of these bonuses and how much spending it takes to earn them.

Rewards value and quality of rewards program

Not all rewards points and miles are created equal. Our estimated point valuations assign a value to points for more than 25 rewards programs, and we use those to assess everything from sign-up bonus value to the strength of everyday rewards rates.

Similarly, we consider how (and how easily) each rewards program allows you to use your points. Even if your points are worth a lot, they might not be especially useful if you have to contend with blackout dates or a labyrinthine redemption system.

Perks

A credit card’s perks can be more valuable than its rewards. For travel cards, we consider flexible travel credits, airport perks like lounge access, and brand-specific benefits like priority boarding with airlines and automatic hotel status. Cash back cards don’t offer similarly valuable perks, but we consider features like purchase protections and restaurant credits when making our assessments.

Credit-building cards come with their own types of perks as well. Some cards offer the opportunity to turn on-time payments into a higher credit limit or even graduation from a secured card to an unsecured card. When looking at these cards, we like to see the ability to benefit from a commitment to building credit.

Intro APR offer

Introductory 0% APR offers can help you get out of debt — or avoid racking up interest on new purchases. We consider not just the lengths of introductory purchase and balance transfer APR offers, but also the particulars of each offer and what you’ll need to do to benefit from it. Whether it’s extra time to transfer a balance or the promise of ongoing value after you’ve taken advantage of the intro offer, we want to make sure you’re set up for success.

Interest rates and other fees

Hefty interest payments and fees can outweigh any benefits you get from a card, especially if you’re trying to build credit. While we don’t weigh APRs or fees too heavily for rewards cards, they’re a crucial part of our assessments of credit-building cards.