Hi all! I get a lot of questions from followers about which credit cards are the best to sign up for. If you know me, you know I’m SUPER careful about recommending the use of credit cards. Carrying credit card debt is an expensive form of financing, so I don’t recommend using one if you aren’t sure you’ll be able to pay your balance in full each month. However, for those that use them responsibly, credit cards can be a good way to build credit and earn points for purchases you are already making. I recommend using them just like you would use cash, and ensuring you have the balance in your account before making the purchase (don’t steal from tomorrow to pay today’s bills!).
In order to round up the best ones for you, I partnered with Zac at Travel Freely to recommend the best personal and business credit cards are on the market right now, especially given bonus offers that are currently happening. Check out all the details below! Feel free to do your own comparison research as well, but it is SO appreciated if you use the below links when you plan to sign up, as it supports both my small business and Zac’s at no cost to you!
– Jamie
BEST OVERALL PERSONAL CARD
This is an excellent all-around card. The #1 card for valuable points and flexibility for travel rewards or cash back. The Chase Travel℠ portal and transfer partners make this card like an Uno Wildcard when it comes to using it for all kinds of free travel.
Our Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Current signup bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Includes $50 hotel credit
- Earn 3x on dining, some streaming services, and online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- Earn 5x on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal
- Great travel perks: Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Application rules: You cannot get this card if you already have a Sapphire card or received a Sapphire bonus in the last 48 months. Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
- Easiest Ways to Redeem points:
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- Book travel in Chase’s portal (like Expedia.com) with a 25% points boost.
- Transfer to partners like Southwest, United, Hyatt, and more.
- Cash out at 1 cent per point (60,000 points = $600).
BEST OVERALL PERSONAL CARD
This is an excellent all-around card. The #1 card for valuable points and flexibility for travel rewards or cash back. The Chase Travel℠ portal and transfer partners make this card like an Uno Wildcard when it comes to using it for all kinds of free travel.
Our Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Current signup bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Includes $50 hotel credit
- Earn 3x on dining, some streaming services, and online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- Earn 5x on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal
- Great travel perks: Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Application rules: You cannot get this card if you already have a Sapphire card or received a Sapphire bonus in the last 48 months. Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
- Easiest Ways to Redeem points:
-
- Book travel in Chase’s portal (like Expedia.com) with a 25% points boost.
- Transfer to partners like Southwest, United, Hyatt, and more.
- Cash out at 1 cent per point (60,000 points = $600).
CURRENT OFFER:
60,000 Points
ESTIMATED VALUE:
$750
ANNUAL FEE:
$95
BEST OVERALL PERSONAL CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
This is a great no annual fee card that gives you the option of cash back or earning travel points. For travelers, this card is best used in combination with the Chase Sapphire Preferred because you can take advantage of a travel portal boost and transfer partners.
Our Pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Special offer: Unlimited Matched Cash Back (first year).
- Earn 3% cash back on dining including takeout, 3% on drugstores, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, and 1.5% on everything else.
- Note: This card does charge foreign transaction fees.
- Application rules: You cannot get this card if you currently have a Chase Freedom Unlimited or have received a Freedom Unlimited bonus in the last 24 months. Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
BEST OVERALL PERSONAL CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
This is a great no annual fee card that gives you the option of cash back or earning travel points. For travelers, this card is best used in combination with the Chase Sapphire Preferred because you can take advantage of a travel portal boost and transfer partners.
Our Pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Special offer: Unlimited Matched Cash Back (first year).
- Earn 3% cash back on dining including takeout, 3% on drugstores, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, and 1.5% on everything else.
- Note: This card does charge foreign transaction fees.
- Application rules: You cannot get this card if you currently have a Chase Freedom Unlimited or have received a Freedom Unlimited bonus in the last 24 months. Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
CURRENT OFFER:
N/A
ESTIMATED VALUE:
$525
ANNUAL FEE:
$0
BEST OVERALL BUSINESS CARD FOR REWARDS OR CASH BACK
It’s hard to beat the Chase Ink Business Unlimited if you’re looking for a great signup bonus and ongoing earning potential. This all-around business card has flexible redemption options. You can earn travel rewards or cash back. Your points can also be combined with your personal Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Our Pick: Chase Ink Business Unlimited
-
- Earns 1.5x points (or 1.5% cash back) on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Intro 0% APR offer on purchases.
- Application rules: Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
- Note: The card is marketed as a cash back card, but it actually earns Chase points that can easily convert to cash back.
- Perfect business card to compliment the Chase Sapphire Preferred personal card.
- Points can be combined with Sapphire Preferred card.
- With the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Business Unlimited bonuses, a person would earn a minimum of $1,500 cash back or $1,875 in free travel on signup bonuses alone.
- Still a great option if you cannot hit the signup bonus.
BEST OVERALL BUSINESS CARD FOR REWARDS OR CASH BACK
It’s hard to beat the Chase Ink Business Unlimited if you’re looking for a great signup bonus and ongoing earning potential. This all-around business card has flexible redemption options. You can earn travel rewards or cash back. Your points can also be combined with your personal Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Our Pick: Chase Ink Business Unlimited
-
- Earns 1.5x points (or 1.5% cash back) on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Intro 0% APR offer on purchases.
- Application rules: Chase allows two application approvals per 30 days.
- Note: The card is marketed as a cash back card, but it actually earns Chase points that can easily convert to cash back.
- Perfect business card to compliment the Chase Sapphire Preferred personal card.
- Points can be combined with Sapphire Preferred card.
- With the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Business Unlimited bonuses, a person would earn a minimum of $1,500 cash back or $1,875 in free travel on signup bonuses alone.
- Still a great option if you cannot hit the signup bonus.
CURRENT OFFER:
75,000 Points
ESTIMATED VALUE:
$750
ANNUAL FEE:
$0
BEST CASH BACK BUSINESS CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
Great for any size business. Amazing value for a card with no annual fee. Earn 2% cash back on all spending (up to $50,000 annually), and you can decide to earn 2x Amex points instead.
Our Pick: American Express Blue Business Cash Card
No welcome offer.
- Earn 2% cash back up to $50,000 per year.
- Option to earn Amex points instead.
- APR: 0% on purchases Period: 12 months from date of account opening.
- Credit limit is not fixed; adjusts based on needs and spending history.
- Benefits include travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protections, and more.
- No annual fee.
BEST CASH BACK BUSINESS CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
Great for any size business. Amazing value for a card with no annual fee. Earn 2% cash back on all spending (up to $50,000 annually), and you can decide to earn 2x Amex points instead.
Our Pick: American Express Blue Business Cash Card
No welcome offer.
- Earn 2% cash back up to $50,000 per year.
- Option to earn Amex points instead.
- APR: 0% on purchases Period: 12 months from date of account opening.
- Credit limit is not fixed; adjusts based on needs and spending history.
- Benefits include travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protections, and more.
- No annual fee.