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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Showing 8 results
Best for first-year rewards
Bankrate score
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Discover
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: Its rotating bonus categories allow you to earn rewards at a boosted rate across a wide variety of purchases.
Best for travel bonus
Bankrate score
4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
75,000 miles
Rewards rate
5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its flexible redemption options lets you use your miles to pay for various travel expenses such as airline or hotel bookings.
Best for dining and entertainment
Bankrate score
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$200
Rewards rate
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its elevated rewards rate on dining, entertainment and grocery purchases make it ideal for dining out and experiencing various forms of entertainment.
Best for household expenses
Bankrate score
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Credit One Bank
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.
N/A
Rewards rate
5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, and then 1% thereafter. 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
29.74% Variable
Why you'll like this: Its potential for credit line increases with responsible card use encourages you to build and improve your credit over time.
Best for families on a budget
Bankrate score
4.6
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
American Express
's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Intro offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Earn $200
Rewards rate
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
1% - 3%
Annual fee
$0
APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: Its generous cash back rewards on U.S. Supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and select streaming services make it a practical choice for maximizing savings on essential spending.
Best for groceries
Bankrate score
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
American Express
's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Intro offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Earn $250
Rewards rate
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, 1% Cash Back on other purchases
1% - 6%
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: You can earn rewards on everyday purchases with this card thanks to its high cash back rates on U.S. Supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions and transit.
Best for gas and dining
Bankrate score
4.6
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Discover
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
1% - 2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It offers a lucrative rewards opportunity, as it matches all your cash back at the end of the first year.
Best for low interest and fees
Bankrate score
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Upgrade
's secure site
Purchase intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
14.99% - 29.99% APR
Intro offer
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
$200
Rewards rate
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
1.5%
Why you'll like this: Its unlimited flat-rate cash back on all purchases provides straightforward and consistent rewards for your spending.
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Compare Bankrate’s top credit cards for good credit
| Card Name | Best for | Card highlights | Annual fee | Bankrate Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | First-year rewards | 5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%) Automatic Cashback Matchfor all rewards earned at the end of your first year | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Discover's secure site | |
 | Travel bonus | 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Travel 2X miles on all other purchases Redeem miles for past travel — statement credits toward eligible recent purchases | 4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
 | Dining and entertainment | 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) | 5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
 | Household expenses | 5% cash back on eligible gas, grocery, mobile phone service, internet service and cable and satellite TV service purchases (up to $5,000 per year, then 1% back) | 3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Credit One Bank's secure site | |
 | Families on a budget | 3% cash back on U.S. supermarket, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 each year per category, then 1% back) | 4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply | |
 | Groceries | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in supermarket purchases, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions 3% cash back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply | |
 | Gas and dining | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%) Automatic Cashback Match for all rewards earned at the end of your first year | 4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Discover's secure site | |
 | Low interest and fees | 1.5% cash back on all purchases every time you make a payment Monthly installment payments at a set APR and length instead of traditional cards’ revolving credit line No late payment fee and no penalty APR | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Upgrade's secure site | |
 | GM loyalists | 7X points on eligible GM purchases 4X points on all other purchases |
All information about the American Express® Green Card and the My GM Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
What to know about cards for good credit
Having good credit typically means you’ll have an easier time qualifying for credit cards and loans than if you had fair, bad or no credit. Card issuers, banks, mortgage brokers and even leasing companies use credit scores and information from your credit report to determine your eligibility and approval for products. If your credit history shows that you consistently pay your bills on time and use your available credit responsibly, lenders may consider you more likely to pay what you owe.
Along with better terms for financial products like loans and mortgages, good credit gives you a better chance of approval for some of the best cards available. These cards often have the best rewards programs, perks, benefits and terms. People with good credit also have a better chance of qualifying for cards that offer valuable perks like lounge access, extra statement credits, warranties and protections and flexible redemption options.
How to get good credit
You can reach a good credit score by keeping low credit utilization, having a mix of credit and installment loans, using credit cards responsibly and having an established credit history.
The amount of time it takes to get a good credit score depends on factors like your credit habits, the consistency of those habits and any past financial mishaps. The better you are at paying on time and not borrowing more than you can pay will impact how quickly your credit score goes up.
Why you want good credit
Good credit can help you make the most of your everyday purchases because you’ll have plenty of credit card options to pick from. “When you apply for a credit card, the issuing lender reviews your credit report and score to determine your eligibility and whether you qualify for a particular card,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and advocacy at Experian. “The better your credit score, the more credit card options you could have.”
But good credit isn’t just about having more options — it’s about having options with some of the best benefits. Here are some of the perks that come with good credit:
- Earn rewards: The right rewards or cash back card can help you pocket more money when it comes time to redeem your hard-earned rewards. A card like the Discover it® Cash Back would be a great place to start because it rewards various purchases throughout the year.
- Maximize travel value: You can qualify for a handful of cash back and rewards cards with boosted rates for travel that offer solid value and help you shoulder the burden of travel expenses. The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card could be a great card for getting started with travel rewards.
- Access food and grocery perks: If food costs take up a large chunk of your budget, credit cards for good credit have some of the best rewards rates for these purchases. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards credit card offers boosted rewards in several key spending categories.
- Cut costs: Plenty of homemaking essentials include groceries, gas for family road trips and streaming services for movie nights and your average show binge. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express can help you earn a chunk of change from all your essential spending.
“To make it work for you, you should use your credit card to pay routine expenses and bills and pay the card off every month,” says Griffin, highlighting the importance of routine spending and payment consistency. “Payment history is the biggest factor that affects your credit score and paying your credit card on time and in full every month will help you build a steady and strong credit history.”
Bankrate’s take:As interest rates continue to rise, so does the cost of borrowing money. With the current average credit card APR at more than 20 percent, keeping your balances low and maintaining good credit habits is more important than ever.
What people say about having good credit
Everyone’s experience with credit and money differs, but some experiences resonate with most people. As most people who’ve moved from a fair to a good credit score can tell you, one of the main benefits of having a good credit score is qualifying for better loan terms and better credit cards. With good credit, you can feel confident in your approval odds for far more lending products than you would with fair or bad credit.
If you’ve ever been in a position where you were unsure about card or loan approval, then you’re familiar with the stress and anxiety that it provokes. Online communities, like r/CRedit*, are a venue for users to discuss their experiences with credit cards, credit scores and other financial products. In one thread in this subreddit users share their experience with having credit scores over 700, which would be considered “good credit.”
I have a 780 [credit score] and am in the market to buy a car. The difference between last time and this time is night and day. Last time, I had poor credit and I was stressing about getting any loan and I very much needed a new car as what I had was unreliable.
I remember sitting in the dealership with my wife and I asked her not to post anything to socials because I didn’t want to have to explain if we had to reverse it.
This time I’m not stressed about it at all and I just know I won’t have any problems getting the loan when the car comes in. It’s honestly kind of wild how much stress disappears with higher credit scores for big purchases.
— Reddit user
This comment shows how things can turn around when you achieve good credit or better. It also highlights the stigma associated with poor credit and the embarrassment of not getting approved for loans. Although no one should feel shame for their financial situation, it can be as distressing as it is inconvenient.
What Bankrate experts say about good credit
A good credit score is worth being proud of because it shows you’ve worked hard to pay your bills on time, avoid maxing out your cards and otherwise use credit responsibly — but the work doesn’t end here. Even Bankrate experts make patience a priority when it comes to maintaining a good credit score. According to Courtney Mihocik, senior editor at Bankrate, patience was and continues to be a contributing factor on her credit journey.
One thing that really helped me on my journey toward good credit was patience. Not only did I have to be patient while working towards good credit, but now that I have good credit, I remain patient between applying for the cards I want. I try to limit my new card applications to one per year to maintain the average age of my accounts. I also wait between card applications to make sure I really want and will use a new credit card. Otherwise, it can take up meaningless space in my wallet and on my reports.
— Courtney Mihocik, Senior Editor
Learn more:How long should you wait between credit card applications?
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
Tips for choosing the best credit card for good credit
Choosing a credit card for good credit will depend on many factors, including your financial needs.
“You should be aiming to use a credit card that has a low interest rate, though this will be less important if you plan on paying your balance in full every month, and low-to-no fees,” notes Griffin.
If you plan to pay in full every month, your interest rate won’t be much of a factor. Paying in full not only helps you reduce debt and interest payments, but it gives you the flexibility to explore the other benefits of good credit. “You may opt for a cash back credit card or one that gives you miles or travel points,” says Griffin. “Always remember that credit is a financial tool. When used well, it should give you financial advantages.”
Here are some general tips to keep top of mind when choosing your new credit card for good credit:
- Know your spending categories: Use a card that fits into your established purchase categories. Crunch the numbers to see which rewards program earns the most rewards based on how you spend (and whether the card has an annual fee).
- Focus on features: If you want a rewards card, decide if you want to earn cash back, points or miles. If you want to save money on interest from a balance you transfer, you might consider a low-interest or balance transfer card. Choose a credit card that fits your needs and don’t settle for one with flashy features if you can’t take advantage of them.
- Research each card’s benefits: Top perks include bonuses, points, miles or cash back and intro APR offers. Use these as you build toward an excellent score so you can qualify for cards with better perks.
- Assess rates, fees and your budget: Plenty of credit cards with no annual fee are available for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles that premium cards offer. Other typical rates and fees to watch out for include the annual percentage rate (APR), foreign transaction fee, late payment fee and balance transfer fee.
Learn more:How to choose the best rewards card for you
Getting approved for a card for good credit
Keep your expectations realistic and within the realm of your financial situation. Just because you have good credit doesn’t mean a card that requires good credit is a good fit for you. Issuers consider your income, expenses and revolving debt when evaluating your application, and they might determine that — despite your good credit score — you’re a risky borrower.
To help make sure you get approved for a good credit card, keep your current card balances as low as possible, pay off installment loans if possible and make sure there are no inconsistencies on your credit report. Correcting mistakes, like updating your income and personal information, could be just the boost you need to have a better shot at card approval.
Still unsure if a credit card for good credit is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
Our data: Good credit won’t guarantee approval
Good credit only improves the likelihood of being approved for a new card, it doesn’t guarantee it. While issuers may use your credit score to assess the risk of lending you money, it may not tell the whole story.
We looked at the approval rates of card applications on our site in 2024. Based on our data on credit card approvals, several cards actually have low approval rates for applicants with good credit. On average across all of the cards analyzed, good credit users were approved roughly 34 percent of the time for a card they applied for, while excellent credit users were approved about 64 percent of the time for cards they applied for. This suggests that excellent credit users are more likely than good credit users to get approved for cards that require good credit, but that nothing is certain in even the best scoring bracket.
These approvals are also a pretty dramatic change from the data for 2023, where good credit users were approved about 44 percent of the time and excellent credit users were approved almost 75 percent of the time. While this reflects that fewer good and excellent credit users are receiving approvals for cards they apply for, fair credit users have seen more approvals on average in 2024 than they did in 2023: about 35 percent compared to about 20 percent, respectively.
Although our data clearly indicates that approval rates are higher overall for applicants with good credit than those with fair or bad credit, a good credit score is still no guarantee of approval. Even applicants with excellent credit saw approval rates of less than 55 percent for some cards based on our data.
Overall, our data showed a wide range of approval rates for applicants with good credit — from around 40 percent on some cards to over 95 percent on others.
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards for good credit scores
How we assess the best cards for good credit
250+
cards rated
50+
rewards programs valued
5000
data points analyzed
40+
perks evaluated
When evaluating the best credit cards for good credit, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest.
We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that are available with good credit. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Here are some of the key factors that we considered:
Courtney MihocikArrow RightSenior Editor, Credit Cards
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
